Need Bees To Come Out From Under The Hive

[riverbee]

"Ok I got neighbors that get this way this time of the year but I havent taken their honey so its got to be the changes in the weather "

my condolences rat, you have TWERPS for neighbors that suffer from whatever, and i just have the normal run of the mill hillbillies and rednecks......

[Slowmodem]

Unless it's a tray you keep oil in to kill the mites, you only need to have the sticky board inserted when you check for mites.  One of the purposes of a screened bottom board is increased ventilation.

[Jen]

Hi Slow    I keep petroleum jelly or shortening on my sticky boards, and keep the sticky board in at all times. Then, pull out the board every two weeks-ish, if no mites I put it back. If there are mites I calculate whether I need to treat and then put it back. If the board is full of debri I scrape it off, add more petrolium jelly.

I think it was Randy Oliver who said that this is a good idea because even if you are not checking, the mites are falling on a continual basis onto the sticky board, stay stuck, and can't return to the bees.

It works for me 

[Gypsi]

once in awhile a queen gets lost and under a sbb, but usually at this time of year, yellow jackets are trying to get in through any possible spot, including the screen, and those are guard bees down there.

I pull my sticky boards during the summer, my bees sit in full sun on 100 degree days, shade after 3 or 4 pm, so they need the ventilation. I am about to oil the boards and put them back tomorrow when I also do my split and maybe go get my trap out bees (I don't know, I kinda favor leaving them over where it rained and all that golden rod is..)