Open base to Beehive

[Paul Hitchiner]

Cleaver Cloggs me - I have put my beehive on two scaffold poles, raised 17" from the ground, to stop the mice and the ants. Now I realize that the winter wind will get underneath the hive and freeze the poor bees. Am I right in thinking this.....should I make a wooden skirt to fill the gap and protect the bees? Beehives are usually put on concrete blocks - allowing mice and ants to enter but it stops for winter wind.

 

[enrico]

It is not a problem as such although that is quite high. I think you may have trouble with the top box's if you get a good crop. The only place you may need some sort of a skirt is at the front because sometimes the bees miss the front entrance and fly underneath, they then can't get in because of the mesh floor but they think they should be able to so they stay there! You can get quite a clump under the hive sometimes!
E

 

[REDWOOD]

Not really, they are well above damp ground which I consider more important, although I doubt it will stop the mice

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

All my hive stands are 18" tall - does get a bit of a bind after the sixth super though

 

[Dishmop]

Yep. Off the ground stops the damp.
If you think there is too much space you could put some bricks or the remains of a neighbour from hell under them to act as a baffle.

 

[Paul Hitchiner]

Thank you

Thank you.
All your comments are most reassuring for a novice.

 

[bontbee]

All my hive stands are 18" tall - does get a bit of a bind after the sixth super though

Mine too, much more comfy for my baad back - downside is that S4 is getting out of reach for me...short**** that I am

I inserted a correx screen under the floor of most of hives during the winter of 2012/13 (was that the recent long, cold one?). It didn't close the floor ventilation off completely, as it would during ApiG treatment, but did act as a baffle against the wind.

 

[Jimy Dee]

Paul
I got political posters and cut them to size and simply put these under the mesh floors. Simply nail a few nails underneath leaving sufficient space between the insert and the mesh floor. the plastic corriboards also allow me count varroa also. With these in place I think your bees have enough protection from the winter winds. Hope this helps.
Jim

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

never put the inspection boards in unless I'm err,,,,,,,,,, Inspecting!

 

[Ely]

Cleaver Cloggs me - I have put my beehive on two scaffold poles, raised 17" from the ground, to stop the mice and the ants. Now I realize that the winter wind will get underneath the hive and freeze the poor bees. Am I right in thinking this.....should I make a wooden skirt to fill the gap and protect the bees? Beehives are usually put on concrete blocks - allowing mice and ants to enter but it stops for winter wind.

Would it not have been easier to fit mouse proof entrance blocks?