A follower board is a movable, internal partition effectively acting as a "false back" wall within a top bar hive. Its primary function is to allow the beekeeper to manually adjust the volume of the hive cavity, expanding or contracting the available space to match the current size and needs of the bee colony.
Core Takeaway: By mimicking the boundaries of a natural cavity, the follower board ensures a colony never has to heat or defend more space than it occupies, significantly improving thermal efficiency and resource management.
The Physical Design and Purpose
The "False Back" Concept
In a top bar hive, the box is often much larger than a new or wintering colony requires. The follower board serves as a movable wall.
It effectively shrinks the hive, turning a large horizontal trough into a cozy, appropriately sized cavity.
Structural Fit
According to standard hive specifications, the board is trapezoidal in shape to match the slanted sides of the hive body.
It is sized to fit the internal dimensions precisely. This snug fit is critical; it must block airflow and bee movement to function as a true boundary.
Managing Colony Growth
Starting Small
When introducing a swarm or package of bees, you should not grant them access to the entire hive body.
You use the follower board to restrict the bees to a smaller section. This encourages them to build comb on the provided bars rather than spreading out inefficiently.
Controlled Expansion
As the colony grows and draws out new comb, the follower board becomes a dynamic tool.
You move the board further back, adding empty top bars into the "living space" one by one or in small groups. This permits expansion only when the colony is ready to manage the additional area.
Environmental and Seasonal Regulation
Thermal Efficiency
Top bar hives are prized for their overwintering capabilities, and the follower board is the engine behind this advantage.
By reducing the internal cavity in winter, you minimize the volume of air the cluster must heat. This conservation of warmth reduces stress on the colony during cold months.
Condensation Management
Proper sizing of the hive helps prevent internal condensation.
A vast, empty space in a hive can lead to moisture buildup, which is dangerous for bees. The follower board mitigates this by keeping the ratio of bees to air volume high.
Operational Considerations and Trade-offs
The Necessity of Manipulation
The follower board system is not "set and forget." It requires active monitoring by the beekeeper.
If you fail to move the board as the colony expands, the bees may perceive the hive as full and attempt to swarm, even if there is empty space on the other side of the board.
Zoning and Separation
Beyond volume control, the board acts as a utility divider.
It can be used to separate the main living quarters from a designated feeding section, keeping syrup or fondant distinct from the brood nest and honey stores.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To effectively utilize a follower board, you must adjust its position based on the colony's immediate objective.
- If your primary focus is establishing a new colony: Place the board close to the entrance to restrict the cavity, encouraging rapid comb building and defensibility.
- If your primary focus is overwintering: Move the board in to eliminate empty space, creating a compact area that the cluster can easily keep warm and dry.
- If your primary focus is feeding: Use the board as a partition to create a separate "kitchen" area, preventing the bees from building comb inside the feeder void.
The follower board transforms the top bar hive from a static box into a dynamic environment that grows and shrinks in rhythm with the seasons.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Function & Benefit |
|---|---|
| Movable Partition | Acts as a "false back" to manually adjust internal hive volume. |
| Thermal Regulation | Minimizes air volume to help bees maintain heat during winter. |
| Colony Management | Controls expansion by adding space only when the colony is ready. |
| Moisture Control | Reduces condensation risks by maintaining a high bee-to-air ratio. |
| Zoning | Creates separate sections for feeding or brood to prevent messy comb building. |
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