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Author Topic: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance  (Read 5476 times)

Offline Rick O.

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Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« on: October 24, 2013, 12:29:12 pm »
Last year I made about fifteen inner/outer covers to have on hand.  This past summer I decided to go with top entrances on all my hives.  Has anyone come up with a way to modify an inner/outer cover to be used as a top entrance?  I have a couple of ideas, but wanted to see what has been done so far and with what success.

Offline tefer2

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2013, 12:43:51 pm »
Just cut a 3/8 by 3/4 notch on the deep side.

Offline Brother Dave

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2013, 06:39:00 pm »
this is what I am doing I have middle entrances I put a set of roofing shims under my top box to creat a 1/4 inch gap. it is easy and cheap. also it is not permanent. this is a picture where i put the shims under my inner cover


Offline T Beek

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2013, 09:09:46 am »
Shims work fine as a top entrance that's not meant to be permanent. 

For something more permanent I cut a 2.5" notch in the inner cover, placed notch side down and reducing to the size of 2 (half inch) bees for winter.

I build my own telescopic covers.  They are deeper and wider than what can be purchased and are placed above an empty feed/vent box.  The goal is to size them large enough to fit over 1" foam insulation that is placed around my hives for winter protection.
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Offline Brother Dave

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Re:
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2013, 12:04:19 pm »
I plan on using shims for permanent entrances.


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Online Michael Bush

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2013, 08:26:12 pm »
http://bushfarms.com/images/EightTenEightHives.jpg

The hive on the left has a wide notch in the inner cover which then has an empty box on top of the inner cover (and a screen on the hole in the inner cover).
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Offline flyboy

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2014, 05:22:14 pm »
Last year I made about fifteen inner/outer covers to have on hand.  This past summer I decided to go with top entrances on all my hives.

I am  newbee. Just finished making 2 hives. Both were made with bottom entrances.

What is the reasoning behind top entrance?
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Online Michael Bush

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2014, 07:45:25 am »
In winter it lets out the moisture.  In winter when dead bees pile up on the bottom, the top entrance does not get blocked.  In summer and winter, a top only entrance (no bottom) keeps out mice and keeps the skunks from eating the bees.  If you run an excluder, a top and bottom entrance keeps the bees from fighting their way through the excluder every trip...
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Offline flyboy

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2014, 01:09:00 pm »
Michael, that makes a lot of sense. What are the downsides? (NPI)
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Al
First packages - 2 queens and bees May 17 2014 - doing well

Online Michael Bush

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Re: Modified Inner/Outer Cover for Hive Top Entrance
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2014, 08:53:04 pm »
>What are the downsides?

I don't see any.
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"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin