Question on Entrance Size

[DMLinton]

Possibly from the dumb question department but do entrances really need to be the full width of the box?  If not, is there any sort of rule of thumb for estimating entrance width (the long dimension, that is - not the height)?

If top entrances are used on supers, how does this modify the appropriate main entrance length, if at all?

Finally, how should one determine the sizes of top entrances on supers?

I will be using exclusively 11 frame deeps until I find a good reason in my own experience not to.

[iddee]

In winter, the entrance should be as wide as 2 bees going in at the same time.
In spring, summer, and fall, the entrance should be wide enough for the traffic to flow in and out without causing a log jam at the door.

There's your rule of thumb.

[Perry]

I am a bit more generous when it comes to openings.
Summer = 3/4" x full width, with upper entrance roughly 3/8" x 1 1/2".
Winter = 1/2" x 3 to 4", with upper entrance as above.

[iddee]

WHY?

[crazy8days]

I watch my bees.  I found out this year that a few of my hives used the inner cover 95% of the time.  I have all season covers.  http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/all-season-inner-cover-p-232.html  The 1 1/2" opening wasn't long enough.  It looked like a traffic jam!  I reduced the bottom just to keep hive beetles and moths out.  Others were the opposite or 50/50.  One thing I'm going to do this spring is make the top entrance  3".  Then in fall reduce it back to 1-1/2".  So, my advice..Watch you bees!

[Perry]

WHY?

Upper entrances year round for ventilation and to relieve pressure at the bottom.
Larger bottom entrances in winter to accommodate my Oxalic Acid vapourizer in December. Never bothered to reduce them any further.