bottom board and stand question

[bayareaartist]

Hi,
I've combined my bottom board and stand together and I was wondering if I shoule have some air holes in the bottom of the hive covered with hardware cloth or wire mesh for ventilation?

[Robo]

As far as ventilation goes,  I find upper ventilation more important that bottom.  With proper upper ventilation, the normal lower entrance is more than sufficient.  A screened bottom board is also considered part of IPM,  though there is a lot of debate of how effective it really is.  I find it does provide an easy non-disruptive method to see mite drop when used with a tray.