Slatted rack/board

[bjosephd]

Hello all...

Who has had experience with using a slatted rack/bottom board?

Did you find it affected anything/much?

And for bonus points has anyone experimented with putting them anywhere else in the hive aside from it's purposed position between floor and bottom BB?

BJD

 

[Fusion_power]

I've used slatted racks for 46 years. They are highly useful any time air circulation needs to be increased in the hive. Hot and/or humid climates see the most benefit. They are also useful because combs will be built all the way down to the bottom bars. Without the slatted rack, an area close to the entrance will be left clear of comb. Slatted racks are beneficial late in the fall when a heavy nectar flow needs to be matured in a short period of time. Ask if you need to increase air circulation because of high temps, if combs built all the way down are important, or if your bees would benefit when maturing nectar in cool humid conditions. I have not seen any negatives from using slatted racks except of course that it is an additional piece of equipment to build and maintain.

Note that I am in a hot and humid climate so my conditions are appropriate for use of slatted racks.

 

[Poly Hive]

I saw them being used to fill the well that was caused by having the mesh under the poly floor.

I thought about it and thought hmm if I remove it what happens?

The answer was maybe one if 50 hives would build drone comb at an awkward angle in the well... and the rest neatly followed the combs and built drone comb.

I use this still, or rather did, as it is an easy way of trimming off hopefully varroa in drone cells, and or not trimming and increasing the number of drones for mating the queens.

So in poly I would suggest not blocking the well.

PH

 

[mbc]

I've used them under clearer boards when clearing supers, you get masses of bees clustered on them, ripe for bumping into a package.

 

[Poly Hive]

I'll bite... why would you want a rack under a clearer board? Curious here.

PH

 

[mbc]

"ripe for bumping into a package"

 

[bjosephd]

Thanks guys!

Some interesting answers there... and far more positive than I thought might explode back.

Poly Hive.. forgive my ignorance... I'm a bit confused about your post and how you reference the 'well'. Im guessing you don't use them for poly hives. Is the 'well' simply the gap between the bottom of the frames and the floor?

Interestingly our local association has a meeting/talk on drone rearing tomorrow evening.

 

[bjosephd]

Fusion_power!
Hello...

So, I doubt I have the same climate here in Somerset... however, I think some of the benefits you list would work for me.

I'm moving towards solid wood floors so a little air space beneath might be good for those few hot sunny days we do get here (come on great British Summer... you can do it this year!).

Also I am hoping to continue with my foundationless project/change-over this season and so encouraging comb built right to the bottom of the frames and front of the box would be a definite bonus.

Cool and humid...? Welcome to Somerset!

£12.55 each... worth it then maybe...

 

[Poly Hive]

There is a hole in poly floors and if the mesh is attached below then htere is a well made and if the mesh is on top then there is not.

I would ponder long and hard on returning to solid floors rather than mesh ones.

PH

 

[bjosephd]

Aha... I see.

I would ponder long and hard on returning to solid floors rather than mesh ones.

Yep, I know... all I do is ponder these days.

It seems to be a perpetual discussion, and bottomless pros and cons (and pro & con theories).

I have my reasons... I could be totally wrong... I think I will probably learn a few harsh lessons this year in various aspects of beekeeping. But I do take all advice and opinions given on this 'ere forum seriously and make considerations weighing up all the contrasting information and opinions I come across. So if I don't do exactly what you say please don't feel I don't value your opinion and experience!

Keep posting peeps and beeks... there are threads out there that need you!

BJD

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

F

I'm moving towards solid wood floors so a little air space beneath might be good for those few hot sunny days we do get here

I wouldn't worry about it - just take out the entrance block and watch them sort it out for themselves; but saying that - when I was in Africa the hives I saw were all langstroth, solid floors and the entrance blocks nailed into place with the smaller 'winter entrance' bees seemed to cope well enough with this - and without matchsticks under the crown board in winter (when frosts and snow was usual)