🐝💗Our Backyard Beekeeping Journey!💗🐝

[5Australorpasaures]

We (hubby) lifted the back end and put a board underneath.

I patted the cinderblock on the top of the hive and said, "Have a good winter, girls! See you in a few months."

Sure, like you won't do a walk by. I walk out and put an eye on 'em every day. I will do a peek-a-boo on sugar blocks late winter, February, if temp gets to 55.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

"You leave the inner board in the screened bottom board during the winter to prevent drafts and retain heat, while the screen is left open for ventilation to manage moisture and condensation. Leaving the screen open in humid climates helps prevent condensation from dripping on the bees and causing them to freeze. Beekeepers in colder, drier climates may seal the screen completely, but this requires more active management to prevent moisture buildup."

Here in Jersey I don't bother with screen boards, some may though. The less I have to mess with things the better I like it.

 

[drstratton]

Here in Jersey I don't bother with screen boards, some may though. The less I have to mess with things the better I like it.

The screen boards really helped our bees. It's so hot and dry here.

 

[R2elk]

The screen boards really helped our bees. It's so hot and dry here.

I have not noticed any difference between the hive that has a screen board and the hives that have the old standard wooden bottom board.

 

[drstratton]

I have not noticed any difference between the hive that has a screen board and the hives that have the old standard wooden bottom board.

We noticed that it kept them from having the need to beard. Of course the cover we had over them helped with that too.

 

[R2elk]

We noticed that it kept them from having the need to beard. Of course the cover we had over them helped with that too.

I have seen others whose hives showed bearding. I have not seen bearding with my hives. I do not put a shade over them. They get direct sunlight from the east and south but the west side is lots of trees.

 

[drstratton]

I have seen others whose hives showed bearding. I have not seen bearding with my hives. I do not put a shade over them. They get direct sunlight from the east and south but the west side is lots of trees.

You're fortunate. The shade is also for us when we're working out there.
I honestly wouldn't want to work out there if we didn't have some cover. It just gets to hot.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

The screen boards really helped our bees. It's so hot and dry here.

I should have mentioned the hives are set up so they get broken sun and shade during the hottest part of the summer days.