Hello
I've just purchased some open mesh floors for my Smith hives.
My hives currently stand on raised concrete slabs which are about 16" above the ground. The reason for this is my apiary is near a ditch which sometimes overflows.
I am trying open mesh floors for the first time to see if this cuts down on dampness and also chalk brood. Despite frequent brood comb replacements chalk brood is still a problem.
The hive floors will be sitting on slopping hive stands on top of the concrete slabs. My first optiion would be to use the stands with no legs which would raise the mesh to 4" above the slabs.
My second option would be to use the stands with legs and that would raise the mesh to 10" above the slabs. The new height of the hive entrances would be 20" or 26" above the ground but still 4" or 10" clear of the slabs.
Does anybody think that either or both these heights would be too draughty and cause more harm than good?
Where I live is very windy so is the risk worth taking or should I just stick with the solid floors?
Has anyone tried open mesh floors in exposed locations and how did you get on with them?
Bookmarks