Dummy boards

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PeteN

New Bee
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
72
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Location
Basingstoke, Hants
Hive Type
Commercial
Number of Hives
3 plus 1 nuc
When making dummy boards are they the same dimension as the frame or the inside dimension of the box. Appreciate they can be if different thicknesses.
 
Last edited:
Dummies - same size as frame; dividers - same size as box.

Dummies - bee space or they will be propolised up. Any smaller and they will be securely braced.

Regards, RAB
 
When useing dummies are they placed flush face to face or do they need to be spaced out.
 
You only need one or two in a box, usually one. The main use of a dummy is to use up the last bit of space at the end of the box; when fitting or removing it will be the last or first so that the other frames are easier to loosen and remove or replace, with that little extra space made by initial removal of the dummy.

If I want to reduce the size of a box I use a close-fitting divider. They retain heat in the reduced brood area better than dummies. Harder to remove, but better suited for purpose. I rarely use a divider for that purpose - putting them in a smaller box is usually a better option, but dividers at both ends (one has an entrance clearance at the bottom) of the over-wintering area of the Dartingtons is a design point - so the cluster is always well away from the hive ends.

Regards, RAB
 
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