We have the notch down in the winter with 1 inch of rigid insulation between inner and outer covers. Keep outer cover out away from the notch. We have the notch up in the summer for ventilation and easier protection for the guard bees.
Thanks for the explanation. I've kept it down all of this time. I only keep it up in the winter when I put sugar blocks on. Maybe I'll keep it up all the time.
Most of my hives propolis those holes shut to the outer cover anyway so now I don't even put those large holes in my inner covers when I build them. I normally drill about six tiny holes ( 3/16") in them now . That keeps the roaches out and allows the bees to seal up for required ventilation as needed. If you have ants drill one hole 3/8" so the bees can get up in there if they want to.
Does it matter if the notch is on same side as main entrance? Should it be on the opposite side of main entrance for better air flow? Or does it even matter?
Mac, that is a great question. I think it depends on your configuration but if you put it on the opposite side of the Baine entrance, it won’t get as much rain protection there’s also the chance that depending on that configuration and the placement and type of lid, you could block it with your lid if you move lid slightly away from the back, then you’re taking away rain protection from the front
You also generally work a beehive from the back so that you’re not interrupting be coming and going if you’ve got the other entrance on the back then you’re gonna be prone to some stings
Sounds like a bee escape. A way to get the bees moving in one direction but not the other. Usually used to get bees out of honey super before extracting honey etc...
With an outer cover sitting ontop of the inner cover if the notch is down air wont flow up threw the hole in the inner cover. It will flow out the notch. Pluse you need to take into account how tight your outer cover fits. If its tight it will also prevent airflow if notch is up. Beekeepers i know all have notch down for entrance and airflow
Notch side down is the correct way its a escape route and ventilation notch side up they can't escape! so is the screen hole in the middle , to keep bees from nailing ya, and can see em, its a vent and feeder hole Besides they like more entrances too and on the side of the hives. there all well guard and too its more ventilation EVEN IN WINTER YOU NEED VENTILATION just have the Notch out side facing SOUTH close any thing from the NORTH IDK WHY THEY EVEN PUT A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE UNLESS FEEDING OR WONT TO LOOK AT EM B4 cracking it open mine got screens in the middle all they do is propolis it up SO WHY THE HOLE? I don't syrup feed in the hives any way he heee
We have the notch down in the winter with 1 inch of rigid insulation between inner and outer covers. Keep outer cover out away from the notch. We have the notch up in the summer for ventilation and easier protection for the guard bees.
Solid plan thanks.
One of those little things that always confused me. FINALLY, someone took the time to explain it! Thx.
No probs.
Thanks for the explanation. I've kept it down all of this time. I only keep it up in the winter when I put sugar blocks on. Maybe I'll keep it up all the time.
+James Braun no probs I am going to do up in summer down in winter.
WIth the vent hole up it is also important to push the telescoping cover forward as far as you can so that you don't actually block the hole.
Correct
Great job
+Michael T thx
Thanks for correcting this notch placement. Now to complicate things . Some say it should be facing back in winter ?
Took me two years
Most of my hives propolis those holes shut to the outer cover anyway so now I don't even put those large holes in my inner covers when I build them. I normally drill about six tiny holes ( 3/16") in them now . That keeps the roaches out and allows the bees to seal up for required ventilation as needed. If you have ants drill one hole 3/8" so the bees can get up in there if they want to.
+Southeastern Ohio Homestead very interesting.
I heard having the vent up also prevents direct access to the frames and helps prevent robbing
Makes sense
Thank you I was doing it wrong!
No sweat. Took me two years to figure out my inner lid was upside down!
Notch down in the winter. Up in the spring and summer.
+Michael T ok
Does it matter if the notch is on same side as main entrance? Should it be on the opposite side of main entrance for better air flow? Or does it even matter?
Mac, that is a great question. I think it depends on your configuration but if you put it on the opposite side of the Baine entrance, it won’t get as much rain protection there’s also the chance that depending on that configuration and the placement and type of lid, you could block it with your lid if you move lid slightly away from the back, then you’re taking away rain protection from the front
You also generally work a beehive from the back so that you’re not interrupting be coming and going if you’ve got the other entrance on the back then you’re gonna be prone to some stings
Mine all have little plastic things to keep the bees out of the top but allow them back into the hive if trapped up top.
What's the purpose of them?
Sounds like a bee escape. A way to get the bees moving in one direction but not the other. Usually used to get bees out of honey super before extracting honey etc...
@@4dhoneybee107 Thank you. I didn't know they were removable.
With an outer cover sitting ontop of the inner cover if the notch is down air wont flow up threw the hole in the inner cover. It will flow out the notch. Pluse you need to take into account how tight your outer cover fits. If its tight it will also prevent airflow if notch is up. Beekeepers i know all have notch down for entrance and airflow
Yes
Notch side down is the correct way its a escape route and ventilation notch side up they can't escape! so is the screen hole in the middle , to keep bees from nailing ya, and can see em, its a vent and feeder hole Besides they like more entrances too and on the side of the hives. there all well guard and too its more ventilation EVEN IN WINTER YOU NEED VENTILATION just have the Notch out side facing SOUTH close any thing from the NORTH IDK WHY THEY EVEN PUT A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE UNLESS FEEDING OR WONT TO LOOK AT EM B4 cracking it open mine got screens in the middle all they do is propolis it up SO WHY THE HOLE? I don't syrup feed in the hives any way he heee