A screened bottom board is a great way to get a closer look at the activity inside your beehive. By providing a clear view of the bees as they move around, it becomes easier to track the comings and goings of the queen, identify potential problems, and monitor the overall health of the hive. Additionally, a sliding varroa drawer beneath the screened bottom board can help you keep an eye on Varroa mite levels in your hive, and take action if necessary to keep them under control.
The beehive screened bottom board with a removable drawer was invented in 1853 as a way to control wax moths. Wax moth larvae would fall through the screen onto the drawer, where they would then be able to feast on the comb debris. Beekeepers would then remove the drawer, with the wax moth larvae, and dispose of them.
Wax moths are a common problem for beekeepers. They are attracted to the wax in beehives and can quickly cause damage. In the past, beekeepers used solid bottom boards to keep wax moths under control. However, when varroa mites appeared, screened bottom boards with removable drawers became the preferred method of control. This allowed beekeepers to more easily inspect for and remove mites.
The current thinking is that although some mites lose their grip and fall through the screen, the number of mites lost this way isn’t enough to make a difference. However, this research is ongoing and the jury is still out on whether or not this method is effective.
Mite counts based on the number of individuals that fall through the hive during a measured interval may not be reliable. The number of mites on a board is highly variable based on the time of year and the size of the colony, making it difficult to devise rules for treatment based on mite drop alone.
As a result of disappointing mite control, many beekeepers are abandoning their screened bottoms and returning to solid bottom boards. But those who stick with them recognize their utility as a diagnostic tool. And because they are so valuable, beekeepers have found ways to alter screened bottom boards to minimize their shortcomings. For example, some beekeepers place a layer of mineral oil on the screen to slow the mites’ movement. Others add a sticky board below the screen to trap falling mites. And still others use a screen with smaller mesh to reduce the number of mites that can enter the hive.
Some beekeepers find screened bottom boards useful for the control of small hive beetles in much the same way they were once used for wax moths. The larvae fall through the screen and land on the board. For beetles, the board can be replaced with an oil tray to drown the larvae.
While it is true that screened bottom boards do allow some heat to escape from the hive, this is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, many beekeepers believe that this ventilation is beneficial, as it helps to keep the hive from getting too hot and prevents the bees from becoming stressed.
With the extra insulation in place, the bees can maintain their cluster temperature a few degrees warmer, which means they can eat less honey to fuel their metabolism and they’re better able to fight off diseases.
Most beekeepers will find clusters of bees hanging from the underside of a screened bottom board at some point. This is most apt to happen in warm weather and appears to be a form of bearding. Bearding is when bees congregate in a cool place to regulate their body temperature. While it may look alarming, it is actually a normal behavior for bees and is nothing to be concerned about.
The following methods may prevent the problem. There are a few things that beekeepers can do to prevent their bees from making honeycombs in inconvenient locations. One is to keep the hive entrance clear of obstructions so the bees can come and go as they please. Another is to provide the bees with a variety of different types of pollen so they have a good source of food. Finally, beekeepers can keep their hives in a location that is protected from the elements. By doing these things, beekeepers can help their bees to build their honeycombs in the right place.
How the beehive drawer is useful
It can be used to monitor the health of the hive, to see if the queen is laying eggs, or to check for signs of disease. The drawer is slid out from under the hive, revealing the frame beneath.
An advantage of using an infrared camera to monitor hives is that it is non-invasive. The camera allows you to see inside the hive without disturbing the bees. This can be helpful in understanding the colony activity and in deciding when to intervene.
The biggest advantage of having a beehive screened bottom board is the ability to easily see what is being brought into the hive. This can be helpful in a number of ways. First, you can more easily spot when there is an issue with what the bees are bringing in. For example, if there are a lot of dead bees or foreign objects, this can be a sign that something is wrong. Second, you can get a better idea of the patterns of what the bees are bringing in. This can be helpful in understanding what the bees are foraging for and how they are using the hive.
In the winter, it can be difficult to get an accurate assessment of the health of your bee colony. However, by using a varroa drawer, you can easily see the size and location of your cluster, which can give you a better idea of the colony's health.
The screen makes it easy for the bees to keep a clean house. Bees are very clean creatures and they work hard to keep their living space clean. In the warmer months, they use a screen to separate themselves from their debris. This way, it is easy for them to keep their house clean.
During the summer, bees are very good at keeping the bottom board clean. They often remove the evidence before you see it.However, with a screened bottom, the bees are prevented from reaching the pieces that fall through. They have no choice but to leave them there for you.
Harmless accumulations
The type of hive bottom board will determine how easy it is to remove and clean the debris.Most beekeepers will have to clean out their beehive bottom boards at some point. Regardless of the type of beehive bottom board you have, many different things will collect there. Most items are benign. Like trash from your house, it is the detritus of creatures living in a confined space. The type of hive bottom board will determine how easy it is to remove and clean the debris. A solid bottom board will be the most difficult to clean. You will have to remove the entire board to clean it. A screened bottom board will be much easier to clean. You can simply remove the screen and clean it. A slatted rack can also be removed to clean it. You should clean your beehive bottom board at least once a year. more often if you live in an area with a lot of pollen and other debris.
The accumulation of beehive is also seasonal. For example, you may find bits of wax nearly any time of year, but newly secreted wax scales are more common in the spring, while wax cappings are plentiful in winter. The amount of honey in a beehive also varies seasonally. Hives may be almost empty in winter, while in summer they may be so full that the bees have to prop the lid open with bits of wax comb.
The hive debris is a popular spot for creatures looking for a free meal. Among them are earwigs, springtails, spiders, flies, assorted ants, and random beetles. They pose no threat to the hive or its inhabitants.
A balanced population of bees, beetles, ants, and flies can actually help keep each other in check and prevent any one species from becoming too dominant. This means that if you do find an infestation of pests in your beehive, it is important to take action quickly to remove them before they have a chance to do serious damage.
More investigations
If you find any of these objects in your beehive, it is important to investigate further to determine the cause. Varroa mites are a common cause of problems in beehives and can quickly kill a colony if left untreated. Small hive beetle larvae can also cause problems, as they feed on the honey and wax in the hive. Wax moth larvae are another potential problem, as they can destroy the wax comb in the hive. Chalkbrood mummies are the remains of bees that have died from the chalkbrood fungus. Bee eggs can indicate that the hive is overpopulated and needs to be thinned out. Large numbers of bee heads or abdomens can be an indication of disease, such as foulbrood. Honey bee pupae are the stage between a larva and an adult bee. If you find excessive honey in the hive, it may be an indication that the bees are not able to consume it all and it is starting to spoil.
A capping that is pulled from the side of a cell and is otherwise undamaged may be an indication the cell was not sealed properly, allowing the developing larva to be exposed and ultimately die.There are a few different types of debris that can be found in a beehive. Mites, small hive beetles, wax moths, and chalkbrood mummies are self-explanatory. However, some of the other debris is more cryptic. Honey bee eggs could mean the queen is laying more eggs than the workers can raise or may signal some other queen problem. A capping that is pulled from the side of a cell and is otherwise undamaged may be an indication the cell was not sealed properly, allowing the developing larva to be exposed and ultimately die.
If you notice any of these telltale signs around your property, it's a good indicator that you have a mouse problem. Mice are not only a nuisance, but they can also carry diseases and contaminate your food supply. Getting rid of them should be a top priority.
If you find excessive bee parts near your hive, it could indicate that yellowjackets are raiding it. While there's no sure way to tell for sure, it's worth taking a closer look if you see any of these signs.
If you are in the unfortunate position of doing a postmortem on a colony, the bottom debris is a good place to start. You may find a dead queen, a layer of yellowjackets, piles of hollowed-out abdomens, or any number of items that may give you a clue about why your colony died. Postmortems can be difficult, but they are important in order to learn from your mistakes and improve your beekeeping.
A screened bottom board is a great way to provide additional ventilation to a hive, while also helping to control excess moisture. By tweaking the design, beekeepers can have the advantage of some ventilation without having too much. What is too much depends on local conditions, so trial and error are necessary.
This can be placed tightly under the screened bottom board to further reduce drafts. The main consideration is to minimize moisture condensation, which can promote fungal growth and reduce the survival of bees over winter.As fall approaches, beekeepers need to take steps to insulate their hives to help the bees survive the winter. One way to do this is to fit winter insulation below the screen. Others replace the easily removed varroa drawer with a tighter-fitting winter board and seal any air leaks with tape and staples. This can be placed tightly under the screened bottom board to further reduce drafts. The main consideration is to minimize moisture condensation, which can promote fungal growth and reduce the survival of bees over winter. By taking these simple steps, beekeepers can help their hives survive the cold winter months.
Many beekeepers prefer to surround the bottom board of their hives with a floor-length skirt of tar paper. This helps to prevent drafts and also collects solar heat. In the spring, they can quickly revert to the regular screened bottom board that has many advantages.
The varroa board is a great way to control the flow of air into the hive during other seasons. By shortened or inserted only partway into the hive, you can ensure that the amount of airflow is just right for your needs. This is a great way to keep your hive at the perfect temperature, no matter what the outside weather is like.
The varroa board of a beehive can be drilled with holes to increase airflow without compromising the integrity of the board. This is often done by hobbyists who have the time and inclination to experiment. The increased airflow can be beneficial to the hive, but the drilling of the holes does require some extra care and attention.
How to Maintenance Varroa Drawers
A varroa drawer is a small, shallow drawer that is used to monitor the level of infestation of Varroa mites in a beehive. The drawer is placed under the bottom board of the hive and the bees are allowed to walk through it as they enter and exit the hive. The mites fall off of the bees and into the drawer where they can be counted.
After examining the drawer, you should collect the accumulation in a bag or bucket. Otherwise, hive debris dumped on the ground near hives can attract unwanted visitors. wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets are just a few of the pests that are attracted to these hive leftovers.
A piece of corrugated plastic cut to fit over the bottom board makes a good wintertime alternative to a screened bottom board. Some people slide the plastic sheets through the front opening as cool weather sets in. This system is not as revealing as a drawer under a screen because the bees can walk on it and clean it. It also reduces the size of the entrance, potentially making it crowded.
A slide-in plastic board is a great way to diagnose winter problems with your colony. The colony will stay clustered for the coldest parts of winter, so you can check the board by simply removing the entrance reducer or mouse guard, and sliding it out. Evidence of mice, shrews, and some other parasites will be clearly visible, as will the position of the cluster. This is a great way to quickly and easily check on your colony's health during the winter months.
They also give the beekeeper a way to monitor varroa mites andother hive pests without opening the boxes and disturbing the bees.Screens and drawers offer a number of advantages to the beekeeper. They allow for easy monitoring of the hive without disturbing the bees, and can also help to control varroa mites and other hive pests. However, they are not without their problems, and should be used with caution.
