Screened bottom boards function as a passive filtration system for your hive. Instead of a solid floor, these boards utilize a mesh screen that allows detached Varroa mites to fall out of the colony while supporting the bees. This mechanical separation prevents the parasites from crawling back up to re-infest the brood or adult bees.
By exploiting the natural tendency of mites to fall, screened bottom boards create a physical barrier that breaks the re-infection cycle. This provides a continuous, non-chemical method of reducing the overall parasite load within the hive.
The Mechanics of Physical Isolation
Exploiting Natural Mite Drop
Varroa mites frequently detach from honeybees due to natural mortality or the grooming behavior of the bees themselves. On a traditional solid bottom board, these fallen mites would land on the floor and simply crawl back onto a passing bee.
The Mesh Barrier
Screened bottom boards replace the solid floor with a specific wire mesh, typically with 1/8-inch gaps. This size is critically important: it is large enough to allow mites to pass through freely, but small enough to support the bees safely.
Preventing Re-entry
Once a mite falls through the screen, it is physically isolated from the colony. Because they cannot fly or jump, and the screen acts as a ceiling they cannot breach, the mites are unable to return to the host bees.
Breaking the Re-infection Cycle
Interrupting Population Growth
The primary goal of this tool is to stop the re-infection cycle. By permanently removing mites that fall, the board prevents them from re-entering brood cells to reproduce or feeding on adult bees.
Continuous Background Control
Unlike chemical treatments, which are applied at specific times, screened bottom boards work continuously. They provide a constant, low-level pressure against the mite population every moment the hive is active.
Non-Chemical Intervention
This method relies entirely on hive hardware rather than pesticides. It offers a way to lower infestation levels without introducing chemicals that might affect the honey or bee health.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Reduction vs. Elimination
It is vital to understand that screened bottom boards are a tool for reduction, not eradication. While they lower the parasite load, they do not catch every mite and are rarely sufficient as a standalone cure for a heavy infestation.
The Role of Sticky Boards
To maximize effectiveness, many beekeepers place a sticky board or oil tray beneath the screen. While the screen separates the mite from the bee, the sticky board ensures the mite is trapped and killed, preventing any chance of survival on the ground below.
How to Apply This to Your Project
To get the most out of screened bottom boards, match their function to your specific management goals:
- If your primary focus is Pest Reduction: Rely on the screen as a passive, year-round mechanical barrier to lower the overall mite pressure without chemicals.
- If your primary focus is Infestation Diagnosis: Insert a sticky board beneath the screen to catch and count falling mites, allowing you to accurately estimate the colony's infestation level.
Screened bottom boards are a foundational component of Integrated Pest Management, offering a permanent physical disadvantage to the mite population.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Mechanical Function | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8-inch Mesh | Allows mites to fall while supporting bees | Physical separation of parasites |
| Passive Filtration | Exploits natural mite drop and grooming | Continuous, non-chemical reduction |
| Isolation Barrier | Prevents mites from crawling back into hive | Breaks the re-infection cycle |
| Monitoring Support | Compatible with sticky boards | Accurate infestation diagnosis |
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