Winter Preps

[Blair Sampson]

I'm currently using screened bottom boards. When I purchased these boards I was advised that come fall I would not require entrance reducers to prevent mice from entering my hives. Is this accurate advice? Also, should I consider entrance reducers to limit winter chills?

[brooksbeefarm]

My buddy perry can best answer this in your area, but i think you would need an entrance reducer for mice. Jack

[Perry]

I am not sure why a screened bottom board would not require an entrance reducer in winter. As far as I know you would slide a board in to close off the screened bottom for winter, and then treat it like a regular bottom board.

[riverbee]

i would use an entrance reducer.....screened bottom boards are not going to keep mice from entering the bottom deep/medium of a hive through the 'front door'.....

entrance reducer for 'winter chills'

i do place entrance reducers on, the wide side, 3 inch width. i do it as soon as i take honey off and just keep it that way through fall and winter months. 
mice can chew through wood, or squeeze through the small opening (industrious little critters that drive me crazy).  as far as winter chills?
less cold air whipping through the entrance of the bottom board is probably a good thing.   

[brooksbeefarm]

I have been told that a mouse can flatten it's head? and if it can get it's head in it can get it's body through also? Wisdom from old timers setting on feed sacks at the feed store, so it must be true. Jack

[iddee]

Mice can go through 1/2 in. hardware cloth, but cannot go through 3/8 in. hardware cloth.

[LazyBkpr]

If the screened bottom boards only have a 5/16 to 3/8 entrance your fine, if they have a standard 3/4 entrance you NEED reducers.