Interesting read on screen BB and solid BB

[crazy8days]

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=616142765121727&id=256954971040510&substory_index=0

[Ziffa]

Thanks Crazy - not really my locale, but I enjoyed the observed comparisons. 

I think I am going to experiment with solid BB next winter and see if I see  a difference in my hives.  I've only ever had Screened BB and haven't had problems, but it would be interesting to see if they do better.  Bad thing would be switching them out.  I really think the SBB helps in our hot humid summers.  At least I only have 4 hives to switch!

Hmmmm,

Thanks again - good read.

love,
ziffa

[iddee]

Rather than switching them out, why not just start a couple new ones on solid bottoms. Then compare them side by side. Like me, you will likely find that they both work, but solid give better performance and less problems. Cheaper, too.

[crazy8days]

I'm doing like Iddee suggested.  My new hives this year will be on solid BB.  I did make some nucs with SBB but thinking I will switch thos out to solid.

[barry42001]

I have found that screened bottom boards act like an open invitation for every passing the universe to come into the hive from the bottom, they can bypass the guards at the entrance. advantage with IPM and all that I got that but I watched more than one hive get decimated by fire ants, and while yes there are things you can do to knock down fire ants to a point come August and September when the numbers are huge they can take apart a hive quite efficiently that isn't quite up to snuff

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[Slowmodem]

I watched more than one hive get decimated by fire ants, and while yes there are things you can do to knock down fire ants to a point come August and September when the numbers are huge
they can take apart a hive quite efficiently that isn't quite up to snuff

Me and the fire ants have come to a standoff.  Every time I see a new hill, I pour Amdro on it.  The past few years, I haven't seen more than a couple of new hills on my side of the property line.  Of course, I have only been monitoring a few acres, and not in the woods.

I learned my lesson about fire ants while shucking an ear of corn that was full of them.  My hand was really burning before I figured out what was going on.

[rodmaker]

Excuse me if I'm wrong but the way i read that article the bee keeper was saying that the hives with scbb were stronger than the hives with solid bottoms and that the populations were higher that would explain the lesser amount of stores is he arguing for or against screened bottoms?

[GLOCK]

I used solids 2012 lost 9 over winter . I used SBBs this past winter and lost 9 and it was killing cold.
I like SBBs boards so ya can see hive litter and signs of VARROA and ventilation in JULY and AUG.
This was my first year  with SBBs over winter and the inserts where in I leave them in all year long minus- JULY and AUG.

[tecumseh]

an iddee snip...
Rather than switching them out, why not just start a couple new ones on solid bottoms. Then compare them side by side. Like me, you will likely find that they both work, but solid give better performance and less problems.

tecumseh...
you would not be comparing apples to apples then since the queens on each side of the comparison would not be of the same age or even perhaps breeding.  I have never seen a feral hive with a screen on the bottom of the nest site??

[camero7]

I have never seen a feral hive with a screen on the bottom of the nest site?

True, but I've seen several feral hives with nothing but air under them.

[Ziffa]

is he arguing for or against screened bottoms?

I think he was saying there were benefits to both, but for his location he thought that some of the benefits of the screened bottoms may be better for him.

why not just start a couple new ones on solid bottoms.

That is a good idea.  Easier for the husband to make them too.  hmmm,  you never steer me wrong, maybe that's what I'll do. 

love,
ziffa

[BoilerJim]

Weeell, after reading all these posts and another post similar to this one, I think I am going to switch from SCBB to solids. Mainly to make my bottom brood chamber more comfortable and enticing for the queen.

[Jen]

Iddee- ""Rather than switching them out, why not just start a couple new ones on solid bottoms. Then compare them side by side. Like me, you will likely find that they both work, but solid give better performance and less problems. Cheaper, too.""

I like this idea!