Just had a thought ...
I experimented with some 'soft' crown boards last year, using clear plastic from a storm-damaged polytunnel. That could be a low-cost way of 'testing the water', so to speak.
It's perfectly possible to see the general state of activity through the plastic, but as it lies directly on top of the frame top bars, the girls eventually propolise much of it.
I've since acquired a large quantity of Foamex(tm) - which is a strange name, as it isn't foam: more like uPVC - which I'll be making all my crown boards from in future.
LJ
Thats all we use. A sheet of thick polythene. They always build a little underneath it where it touches the top of the frames, So i suppose they keep the route "over the top" open.
"Poly doo dar" might be all very well but its very expensive for what it is when you've got more than a few hives.
In the winter, like now, you can put insulation directly on the polythene, first we use a reflective 2 layer bubble wrap on top of the polythene. Then the standard insulation. In our case Styrofoam.
In the summer a square of carpet on top of the polythene. Thats all you need.
You can peel back half the plastic if you want, You dont disturb bees too much or as much as you like. We dont think crown boards are needed!
There is no humidity on the plastic, (underneath, bee side). Whats not to like.
You can see your bees if you want, you dont disturb them.
If you want to feed candy you cut a small u shape in the plastic and fold it back Size of a normal feeder hole. Fold it back if you dont need it. The other bonus is it slows down propolisation between the top of the brood box or nuc (or whatever your using) and the plastic as it seals instantly flush and the bees dont seee a need to propolise it further. really useful if your using poly nucs as it stops them welding the boxes together, possible resulting in future damage when you prize the two apart with a hive tool.
In the summer you can easily see if their ready for another super, working with two of you, you literally whip off the plastic, with a sharp rip, before the bees know whats happening, your colleague has placed the new super on top and your on to the next one. Ive only learnt this in the last year. Lots of professionals dont use crown boards any more in France.
Plastic from a tunnel is excellent. its thick and bends, not brittle. We've actually just bought some from a poly tunnel supplier to cut up for next season.
I can tell all you sceptics out there i was horrified at the thought of ditching crown boards, but once you get your head around it, its completely logical, practical, cheaper and a more effective way of managing your bees (whatever you use poly carb, Poly doo dar or celotext). I have sheets on all my nucs, Production hives and Mini-Plus mating Nucs. I think its the way to go. i suggest anyone to have a go. You may well be completely surprised.
