Bonehead with bees (no offense tbone)

[tedh]

I removed the entrance reducer today.  That simple task brought up a new question!  I opened up the hive, checked the syrup, removed the remaining pollen patty and inspected a couple frames in the top deep.  There's lots of nectar/ syrup (some capped) and LOTS of capped brood!  Made me happy to see it!  I removed the top deep and then removed the reducer.  Next, I put it all back together (with the exception of the pollen patty).  Sitting down just to watch things for a while I thought "Dang, that's a big hole!".  The bottom board I have is from Dadants.  It's one of the reversible models.  If you lay it down one way the entrance is not as high, maybe 3/8 Inch?  If you flip it over the other way (like I have it) the entrance looks about 1/2 to 3/4 in. high.  Should I reverse (flip) the bottom board next week?  I'd rather not do it today because I've already bothered them, but DANG, what a big hole!  Any thoughts or insights?  Thanks Ted

[apisbees]

I stay 3/4" all year long the bees control the temp with in the cluster and as long as there are bees across all the frames in the hive they will be able to defend the colony.

[LazyBkpr]

  Yep..  Once I remove the reducer I leave it out with no restrictions. I only take the reducers out on the strong/full colonies. I leave the 3" reducer in place on weaker colonies.
   I also like to reduce the entrance for winter to limit the air flow. We have some ugly winds here in the winter..  Typically the winds roll across the prarie from west to east, varying from the SW or NW at times..   Last winter the winds often came out of the SE.. DRIVING the snow either from the sky or from the ground into the hives..    I tried to go out and clear the lower entrances a few times, but finally gave up in defeat..  I tried a board to block the entrance, and found the snow PACKED in behind the board etc..   If I left mine open to the 3/4 full width size I believe there would be snow blown all the way to the back of the hive..  as it was.. the lower entrances were normally blocked off completely...  which I realized was probably fine while it was 50 below wind chill.
   On the fateful February day when it was forecast to get into the mid 40's...   28 the day before...  I hurried out that morning and cleared all the entrances..  by the end of that day yellow snow was the normal order of things.
 

[iddee]

I use the 3/8 opening year round. It works well in this climate.

[tedh]

Thanks Guys!  Okay, so, for my area, leave the 3/4 entrance till winter then replace the reducer with the 3 inch opening.  Lazy, I'll follow your lead.  Thanks again!  Ted