The oval-shaped hole in the center of an inner cover is specifically engineered to fit a bee escape. This precise shape accommodates the device, often a plastic one-way gate, which allows you to clear bees out of honey supers prior to harvesting.
The oval cutout is a dual-purpose feature: it is shaped to hold a mechanical clearing device for harvest, but functions year-round as a critical port for ventilation and internal feeding.
The Mechanics of the Bee Escape
Facilitating a Clean Harvest
The primary reason for the hole's oval geometry is to accept a standard Porter bee escape.
When this device is inserted, it creates a one-way funnel. Bees in the upper boxes can pass down through the hole into the brood chamber, but they cannot return upwards.
Passive Colony Management
Using the inner cover for this purpose allows for a gentle, chemical-free harvest.
By placing the inner cover with the escape between the brood box and the honey supers, you can clear the supers of bees within 24 to 48 hours without disrupting the colony's defensive instincts.
Utility Beyond the Harvest
Regulating Hive Climate
When the bee escape is removed, the open hole remains vital for the hive's environment.
It allows warm, moisture-laden air generated by the colony to rise and escape the brood nest. This prevents condensation from accumulating on the ceiling of the hive, which could otherwise drip down and chill the bees during winter.
Internal Feeding Access
The hole serves as the primary interface for top-feeders.
Beekeepers can place an inverted jar or pail feeder directly over the oval opening. This allows the colony to access syrup safely from inside the hive, protected from robbers and weather, without breaking the propolis seal of the main hive body.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Burr Comb Accumulation
The bees often view this gap in the "ceiling" as an architectural error.
If the headspace is not correct, bees frequently fill the oval hole with burr comb or propolis. This requires regular scraping to ensure the bee escape fits correctly when harvest time arrives.
Unwanted Pests
While the hole provides ventilation, it can offer a pathway for pests if not properly managed.
If the outer telescoping cover does not fit snugly, the hole in the inner cover can provide direct access for wax moths or ants to enter the super. It is essential to ensure the outer cover fully protects this opening.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To maximize the utility of your inner cover, adjust how you use the oval hole based on the season:
- If your primary focus is harvesting honey: Insert a Porter bee escape into the oval hole 24 hours prior to pulling frames to clear the supers without smoke or chemicals.
- If your primary focus is winter preparation: Leave the hole open (but covered by the telescoping lid) to act as a chimney for venting moisture.
- If your primary focus is feeding: Place your inverted feeder directly over the hole, ensuring the rim of the feeder seals against the wood to prevent leaking.
Mastering the use of this simple opening transforms the inner cover from a mere lid into a dynamic tool for climate control and harvest management.
Summary Table:
| Feature/Function | Primary Purpose & Benefit |
|---|---|
| Bee Escape Fitting | Specifically shaped for Porter bee escapes to clear honey supers for a chemical-free harvest. |
| Climate Regulation | Acts as a ventilation chimney to release moisture and prevent cold condensation in winter. |
| Feeding Access | Provides a secure interface for inverted jar or pail feeders while protecting syrup from robbers. |
| Honey Harvesting | Enables passive, gentle clearing of bees from supers within 24–48 hours. |
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