Does anyone still use solid floors? If so, why?
Emergencies. I have no qualms about overwintering on a solid floor if a problem arises with a mesh floor.
BUT I have, for years, used only BOTTOM ventilation. It may pose one or two additional requirements and a little extra effort to place the equivalent of matchsticks but UNDER the brood box. I actually have a few short strips of wood around 2 1/2 mm thick and about 19mm wide.
I don't necessarily leave a gap all the way around as the matchstick brigade suggest - it is simply not needed. So a gap at the top of similar dimensions is NOT needed; my bottom gap does NOT lose heat and induce through-draughts 24/7 for the whole winter. I've done it several times and I KNOW it works.
The hive location has to be considered - too much to ask of some, I'm afraid. The hive needs to tilted forward slightly to drain any moisture ingress or condensation or reliable drainage being arranged if water is present. Again, too much to ask of some?
Ventilation on an as-needed basis IS always going to be better than imposed 24/7 losses associated with forcing unwanted gaping holes above the cluster - anywhere above the cluster.
Sorry, but those proponents of matchsticks cannot argue the above. They have no credence whatsoever.
Claiming their bees survive OK is NOT a valid argument because the bees will do all they can, to survive. It is not any any more plausible claim than undernourished children do not die as long as they get the very minimum. Some have to live and survive like that but it is not a satisfactory situation! There will be climates where it matters not a jot if gaping holes are left in the roof -drowning in the monsoons might be a bigger issue!
There will be nobody who argues sensibly for top over bottom ventilation without them saying only 'it works for them'. Yes, it might - but bottom ventilation works for all. ALL, yes, ALL. Any takers?
Emergencies. I have no qualms about overwintering on a solid floor if a problem arises with a mesh floor.
BUT I have, for years, used only BOTTOM ventilation. It may pose one or two additional requirements and a little extra effort to place the equivalent of matchsticks but UNDER the brood box. I actually have a few short strips of wood around 2 1/2 mm thick and about 19mm wide.
I don't necessarily leave a gap all the way around as the matchstick brigade suggest - it is simply not needed. So a gap at the top of similar dimensions is NOT needed; my bottom gap does NOT lose heat and induce through-draughts 24/7 for the whole winter. I've done it several times and I KNOW it works.
The hive location has to be considered - too much to ask of some, I'm afraid. The hive needs to tilted forward slightly to drain any moisture ingress or condensation or reliable drainage being arranged if water is present. Again, too much to ask of some?
Ventilation on an as-needed basis IS always going to be better than imposed 24/7 losses associated with forcing unwanted gaping holes above the cluster - anywhere above the cluster.
Sorry, but those proponents of matchsticks cannot argue the above. They have no credence whatsoever.
Claiming their bees survive OK is NOT a valid argument because the bees will do all they can, to survive. It is not any any more plausible claim than undernourished children do not die as long as they get the very minimum. Some have to live and survive like that but it is not a satisfactory situation! There will be climates where it matters not a jot if gaping holes are left in the roof -drowning in the monsoons might be a bigger issue!
There will be nobody who argues sensibly for top over bottom ventilation without them saying only 'it works for them'. Yes, it might - but bottom ventilation works for all. ALL, yes, ALL. Any takers?