Using a grain bag as an inner cover

[twb]

For some of you who use grain bags as inner covers, do you cut a hole in the center for ventilation and for the bees to exit for an optional upper escape?

[Michael Bush]

No need for a hole.  They breath a little and that's the point.

[chemlight]

Would someone mind explaining the use of a grain bag for an inner cover? What type of bag? Burlap or paper? I have a lot of chicken feed bags but they are paper. Do you just cut them to size? Want they eat the paper?

I don't use inner covers due to cost, but making one out of a grain bag seems like a great idea!

[contactme_11]

Would someone mind explaining the use of a grain bag for an inner cover? What type of bag? Burlap or paper? I have a lot of chicken feed bags but they are paper. Do you just cut them to size? Want they eat the paper?

I don't use inner covers due to cost, but making one out of a grain bag seems like a great idea!

I'm not sure but I would assume burlap. Paper would just fall apart after wicking up all the moisture in the hive.

[steveb]

I would assume that the grain bag type in question is one of the white woven plastic-like cloth grain bags.  I get tons of them when buying grain or custom mixes from the grain mill .
Now Nutrina bags are also now made of the same type of material but with a glossy printed outer coating and are even more durable but stiffer.
Either should be better than paper or burlap.

[rickomatic]

So, with a regular inner cover, the oval hole is for ventilation, and with the grain bag, since they are a breathable material, no hole is needed?
I wonder if you could make one with something like Tyvek?

[abeeco]

tyvek may work but it flaps around a lot if there is any wind