My husband built me a Langstroth type hive. He made an awesome bottom board with a pullout drawer under a screen. The way he designed it there will be about 3 1/2" of space between the screen and the bottom of the frames.(In case you wonder why, it's because he's neither a beekeeper or a carpenter, just a great husband.) Will the bees try to fill this with comb, or am I OK? I'm thinking about when they build in a hollow space like a tree, there's empty space beneath, right? So I'm thinking I can try it?
I am planning to run 3 mediums as brood chamber with narrow foundationless frames, there is a standard size entrance just above the screen. I plan to drill 3/4" holes in the chamber sides for ventilation and entrances. I plan to either do a split this fall or put a package in in the spring, with some drawn comb down in the chamber to get them started. I'm a firstyear Beek in GA.
Thanks for any feedback!