Ivor Kemp
House Bee
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2010
- Messages
- 228
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Poole, Dorset
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 4
On preparing for Varroa treatment at the weekend, I noticed for the first time, to my horror, that the yellow Thornes plastic floor board has been taped under the mesh floor since my hive was put together last July!
Although my bees have done very well, this means that they have had a closed floor for over a year and throughout the summer.
I thought they were a bit feisty during hot spells. Do you think this would have made a big difference to their well being?
The other problem is that the slot where you pull the plastic sheet out is round the back of the hive and such is the position of the hive next to a fence it is impossible to pull it out without moving the hive.
The hive is on two breeze blocks and I have a second mesh floor with yellow tray.
Would people recommend:
1. Putting in two new breeze blocks in front and trying to slide the hive onto the second floor?
2. Lifting the brood chamber and turning the existing floor unit round (I already don't think this is a good idea)?
3. Doing nothing until at least the end of the varroa treatment?
4. Something else?
And while we're on the subject, is it best to close up the floor with this plastic sheet for the winter and then remove again in the spring?
Many thanks.
Although my bees have done very well, this means that they have had a closed floor for over a year and throughout the summer.
I thought they were a bit feisty during hot spells. Do you think this would have made a big difference to their well being?
The other problem is that the slot where you pull the plastic sheet out is round the back of the hive and such is the position of the hive next to a fence it is impossible to pull it out without moving the hive.
The hive is on two breeze blocks and I have a second mesh floor with yellow tray.
Would people recommend:
1. Putting in two new breeze blocks in front and trying to slide the hive onto the second floor?
2. Lifting the brood chamber and turning the existing floor unit round (I already don't think this is a good idea)?
3. Doing nothing until at least the end of the varroa treatment?
4. Something else?
And while we're on the subject, is it best to close up the floor with this plastic sheet for the winter and then remove again in the spring?
Many thanks.