Should I cover the feed holes?

[CliffDale]

Im not sure whether to cover the feed holes in the crown board now I have stopped feeding them.

Bees have plenty of stores.

Do I leave them open for ventilation or cover them over with some wood?

Cliff

 

[Midland Beek]

I do not think that it matters a great deal. I would leave them open if you are on solid floors. If you are using OMF you might want to close them off, but if it were me I would leave them open for the duration of the 'bee season', closing them off in autumn.

 

[BKF Admin]

An open crownboard can be a good indication of when you need to add a super because some bees will build a tongue of comb to the roof when they are ready to expand..

 

[tonybloke]

An open crownboard can be a good indication of when you need to add a super because some bees will build a tongue of comb to the roof when they are ready to expand..

alternative viewpoint


A closed crownboard enables the bees to regulate their own temperature, and probably leads to less bees needing to keep broodnest warm ( so they can have larger brood area with less bees)

 

[For want of a better word]

reduce the size of hole
I had some crown boards with 2 holes cut to take the large oval Porter escapes
used for clearing, came with inserts that fit exactly, with one with a 1/2" round hole for a feeder?
they were MD so gave them away! + a load of Queen Excluders etc.....

See I do have a nice side!
(SWMBO says I am a sarky s*d)

 

[REDWOOD]

Hi, cover the holes with scrap bits of ply wood or you will get the bees making comb in the roof area and it ends up a bit messy when trying to remove the roof and crown board on your next inspection, bees will ventilate the hive.

 

[Chris B]

Avoid congestion in the first place and it becomes irrelevant whether the hole is open or closed. If it's a good strong colony then don't skimp on the supers. With a good sustained flow they will fill a super in less than a week. So 2 empty supers or more is a good idea so the bees have room to spare.

n.b. I've highlighted the "if" above. Differerent priorities for small colonies/nucs.

 

[Silly Bee]

I use a bit of varro mesh and pin it down with drawing pins. If its to draughty, the bees will close it with propolis.

 

[For want of a better word]

Not such a silly idea Silly Bee......

Now what do you think about the bee escapes in the WBC roof ?, some of mine are open others closed off with the v mesh / perf. zinc.
I do get the odd bee fly out when I have lifted the roof, but can never find out how they get into the outer body, I have also seen the little ladies attempt to go in that way !

 

[Silly Bee]

I've Never used a bee escape.