Heat Vents

[manowar422]

Three weeks ago I installed a screened bottom board on my hive
to help with bearding due to heat retention.

The bees were still bearding :x

Today I cut a 2-9/16" hole  :shock:  in the four corners of my inner
cover and covered them with screen 8)

In the morning I will see if the bees are still bearding  :?:

If this doesn't work, I'm thinking about a fan :lol:

[TREBOR]

I cut holes in my inner cover w/screen , put a deep on top with the same size holes w/screen then the outer cover.
 with a SBB!
 still bearding!  :lol:

I think they are just havin porch parties :D

[Michael Bush]

The bees need to be able to control the ventilation.  They are evaporating water and nectar to keep the temperature 92 dgrees F in the brood nest.  If the temperature outside is ABOVE 92 F then you may cause the temps inside to rise above 92 by forcing too much air through it.

Adding ventilation can help the bees, but forcing ventilation may cause more problems.  Once the temps get much above 100 INSIDE the hive you start to have combs collapsing.

Make sure there is a way for air to come in the bottom and get out the top.  Make sure there is enough room in the hive for all the bees.  Accept that they may still beard no matter what you do.  My GOAL is to try to create enough room and ventilation that they won't need to beard, but sometimes if it's too hot there is no way to stop it.

[manowar422]

Took a look at the entrance to the hive at daybreak today,
no bees out side.  :D  The extra holes worked!

Temps running from 79-80 at nite, to 100 in late afternoons.

Micheal, don't you think if the hive is getting too much air,
the bees will seal up the holes they don't want or need?
[I used window screen so they could do this]

and I was just kidding about the fan :lol:

[Michael Bush]

>Micheal, don't you think if the hive is getting too much air,
the bees will seal up the holes they don't want or need?
[I used window screen so they could do this]

No I don't think thats true.  They appear to seal up holes that let light in.  They don't seem concerned about sealing holes because air comes in.  They NEVER seal the SBB they always seal a top vent eventually.

>and I was just kidding about the fan

People sell vent setups with fans and I know many people have said they have built them are are going to build them.  But that's my concern.  How do you know if you're helping or not?