Thanks JP...
BLITZ,
I know that you can't post pics but I was not able to follow the link you gave me. But I will explain...
The vent holes on my VIC (Ventilated Inner Cover) are located alongside the back and sides. There are no vent holes in the front where the upper entrance is located. The reason for that is because during the winter/cold months I found that the bees go out on their cleansing flights and when they return they tend to land on the front "screened" holes and die. They don't try to find the actual top-front entrance hole. The hole is NOT located inside the brood chamber as is the case with a regular inner cover. The hole is actually on the inside-bottom-front of the VIC. You can get the same results by actually inverting a regular inner cover and placing a regular empty supper on top then covering it with a telescopic cover. I don't want to drill holes on the side of my regular suppers so I built a "one unit VIC".
Yes, the interior walls of the VIC have foam insulation sheets cut to fit tightly around the VIC. The only hole available is in the front panel and is the size of the top-entrance hole (~3/4" X 2"). Resting on top of the wall insulation is a horizontal insulation sheet with a center hole cut into it. This hole allows me to insert an inverted 1/2 gal. bottle of honey to feed during the winter if required.
If you are asking me if there is a "bottom inlet hole" underneath the VIC the answer is NO. But I do have a BOTTOM ENTRANCE in my SBB (screened bottom board).
BTW...if you are interested in seeing my VIC design do a search on this webpage or go to my webpage at
www.beestbatsandbeyond.com where I have instructions on DIY equipment.
I believe that by having a SBB (with the bottom tray closed during cold weather) and a VIC working together prevents moisture from remaining in the hive. I have had totally dry hives since I started using this design in 2008. The VIC acts as a insulation box on top of the bees. Think of it as a three decker home, if you have them in your area :-D The tenants on the first and third floor usually have a higher oil bill during the heating season. The second floor usually spends less because it is insulated by the ceiling and floors of the other apartments. Same principal here only heat rises and vents out the small 3/4" X 2" top entrance hole. On windy days the bees do not get directly hit with the wind that usually enters through the top hole.
One other point I should mention...Some people build a VIC and fill it with moisture absorbing material such as hay. I found that there is no reason for that since the moisture is eliminated through the small top entrance hole.
Hope that helps.
gaucho10