Too much ventilation?

[shawnwri]

Running screened bottom boards sitting on old pallets and have found that the bees are chewing up the comb in the bottom box.  Just a little pollen stored there and no brood.  is it possible they are getting too much ventilation?

[jdpro5010]

I don't think it is a problem of too much ventilation.  I think it more an act of dearth.  I have found, if you have undrawn frames in a hive during a dearth, the bees will just chew those frames and put holes all through it.  If the frames are drawn foundation it may be just some hygenics or house cleaning at work.

[GJP]

I've had some problems forom time to time with ants chewing up comb on the lower parts of the frames with screened bottom boards.  They don't take a lot but can evade the bees because of the screen.  I have a swarm trap set up not to far from my hives and the ants are havign a lot of fun with that!