I think I am done with Screened bottom boards.

[Yankee11]

Ive been testing Solid vs Screened bottom boards this summer. Was running all Screened until now.

What I have noticed the all the hives with the screened bottoms boards, is that the bees just don't wanna be in that bottom box. All my Solid bottoms have almost completely filled all 10 frames in the top deep and are laying in the bottom deep.

All my screened bottom boards- the queens are still laying in the top deep and the bottom deeps are pretty much empty. These hives are lighter as well compared to the solid bottoms. Not near as much stores.

Now I know there are other factors, but I have these hives side by side in same bee yards and it seems to be the same in all the hives.

Another thing I wonder, I wonder if this might contribute to swarming, maybe the queen is reluctant to lay much in the bottom and this reduces her laying area? just a thought. They sure don't like to be down there.

Thoughts?

[barry42001]

I gave up on screen bottom boards a while ago to me they are just another entrance for every other pests you're trying to keep out the purpose behind them I have found them to be more of a detriment and then a benefit for all the reasons you mentioned plus the pest factor I realise Florida might be somewhat unique the number of pests that are willing to colony of honey bees  and the amount of time each year they had to do so no screened boards for me thank you.

[Bamabww]

I only tried it a couple of years ago on one of my hives and found very similar results. While it might work for some it didn't for me. I have converted it to a solid now as well. For some reason, they just don't like the open floor.

[Jen]

This is interesting cause three of my four hives have sbb and the comb and brood on the bottom deep are all full to max. Then, the other hive is on a simple standard solid bottom board and the bees have left it empty all summer long  ~ go figure  :eusa_think:

[tbonekel]

I just think that with a solid board, they can control the temp better. I considered using them once to help them keep cool during the high heat of Summer, but realized they regulate just fine on their own.

[iddee]

I tried screened about 15 years ago, for 2 or 3 years. Then I started phasing them out. I never saw a benefit to them, but did see a number of detriments. All my bottom boards are now solid.

[Gypsi]

If Fort Worth decides to do a surprise mosquito spray I'd rather NOT have all the bees on the front porch fanning when  they do it, the spray doesn't penetrate as readily from the bottom. Secondly if the hive is going to be able to self regulate our hot humid weather on a solid bottom board, the front door has to be open. And what can come in the front door is a LOT bigger than what can come through the screened bottom board.  Bottom box was only light and empty in June I think, and I swapped them, works for me.

[riverbee]

thanks for your post yankee.  i have never used them. so the comments here are good on all the perspectives.  i have many new beeks ask me about these.  i tend to steer them away from them, use a sold bottom board, then try the sbb.

interesting to read that your bottom deeps are empty with these on, and wayne's comments. "they don't like the open space".  my thought about contributing to swarming? quite possibly.  if the bees are all jammed up in the top deep, and won't move down.....they move out/swarm unless the deeps are reversed?

again thanks for your post, this is a great thread!

[Yankee11]

Here what I am seeing.
We harvested about 3 weeks ago and we went back and sat 1 super on top of each double deep.

Now we see this,

Solid Bottoms- Super is cleaned but empty, upper deep full of honey, lower deep brood-PERFECT

Screened Bottoms- The Super is full of Honey, The upper deep is brood and lower deep empty (tells me they are wanting up away from the open space)

My partner and were talking about this this weekend. When bees pick their own place to live, they pretty much always choose a closed up cavity or we would see more open air hives.

[Garden Hive]

I've used both and have zero preference, as I have seen the bees don't have any either. I have about 80% screened. See them thick in the bottoms and hanging off the bottoms of the frames. However I am very attentive to the space provided above. I don't give them excess above to allow a vacant bottom deep, of course not until the eat their way back up. Tim

[Jen]

Here's a thought...  Last spring when we were going thru the swarming episode, hubby brought out the table saw and was throwing out deeps and mediums as fast as he could. Then we realized we needed bottom boards, and I like sbb. So he got creative and made these sbb with pull out drawers. I lay the sticky board in the drawer, close the drawer. When I want to check for mites or clean the debris from the bottom of the hive.. it's so easy. The front of the drawers have screened vent holes. So actually, after reading everyone's input here, I figure I have the best of both. I can pull the drawer out if it get screamin hot, or close it up and give the bees that closed in feeling. Frankly tho, I keep them closed and check em every two weeks for mites. Ha! genius and I love them!

On this one you can see the mite count from yesterdays oxalic treatment

[Yankee11]

Yea Tim, if I hadn't added the super back to each hive I probably would have not noticed this difference. The bees would have been forced to
fill the upper deep and move down.

That's why I am posting this. All these hives have enough space to live in the boxes where they prefer. And I see a difference. And I still can't get the thought out of my head about the type places they pick on there own without being forced.

I am not knocking Screened bottoms. I just thought this difference was something to share. I bet I could pop the top on each hive and tell you what bottom is on that hive. Super empty- solid bottom.  Super full-screened bottom.

Can't help but feel that what I am seeing is telling me something.

Jen, In essence you are running solid bottoms if you have the sticky board in your hives most of the time.

[pistolpete]

There's an important distinction between screened bottom boards open to the ground and screens an inch above a solid bottom.   I run the latter.  My "drawers" open at the back, so I can do mite checks without stepping in front of the hive.   In the summer I leave the drawer with the sticky board cracked open for extra ventilation.   I think that in the battle against the mites, every mite counts, so being able to eliminate a few hundred every year through the screen is an important component of integrated pest management.

[Scott Derrick]

I use screened bottoms in both my Langs and TBH. I think it really helps with ventilation. The thing is that I don't see screened bottom boards in nature and the bees seem to do much better. Just sayin.

[Slowmodem]

I have screened bottom boards on mine, but they all have an oil tray to drown the small hive beetles and mites that fall into them.  I guess as far as the bees are concerned, it's like a solid bottom board while the tray is in.

[Riverrat]

I phased out my screen bottom boards.  I think it was a fad that has more than outlived the norm for fads.

[Garden Hive]

I completely agree, if left to nature their options are going to be very closed in spaces. Most wild hives will be found to have about a bee or two entrance and thats it.
I would think that so many variables play into their production that it would be tough to make a really accurate assessment. However, Small scale, I'm just like you. I lean towards what works for me. I won't be throwing either away. Tim

[Gypsi]

In nature in an enclosed bee tree or other enclosed space when the mites or shb get out of hand, the bees abscond.  If a robbing hive attacks, and they are too small, the colony fails. But bees do continue to exist wihout screened bottom boards. If I have to close a hive due to it being a fresh swarm, fresh removal, robbing or the need to move it, in full sun on a solid bottom board, those bees are dead. On a sbb, they can tolerate a couple of days closed in provided I supply thin syrup

[Lburou]

I'm phasing out the screened bottom boards too.  Have one sbb still with the bottom closed with a political sign.  The frames are full.....It produced 11 gallons of honey this summer and I took some more off last week.  I guess leaving the plastic sign in all summer makes it an almost solid bottom but I couldn't resist the 11 gallon report.   

[Jen]

Lou! One hive... 11 gallons? Good Night Nurse! I can only dream....