Yikes, my entrances are significantly smaller than that. They're about 0.1 of an inch tall, and they don't run the whole length across as you can see, there's just two front entrances, some are 2 inches wide, others are 2.2 inches wide.
I've been beekeeping for years now and all my hives are like so. Some of my hives do have an issue with condensation; that is, when I open up the hive, there's a small amount of water built up on the lid, and hive mat. So it seems like my small entrances could be contributing to this? What other issues could my small entrances have?
I attached my bottom boards to my boxs. Do you think it'd be worth it to increase the size of my entrances on all my hives? If so, how big should I make them? I can make bigger entrances on my bottom boxs that don't have any bees occupying them, then I can use these to replace my boxs that are currently being used as a brood chamber, and then I can make a bigger hole on them as well.
If I cut out a bigger hole for the entrance, should I apply linseed oil or paint to where the pine is freshly cut and exposed?