BEE HIVE BOTTOM BOARD for small hive beetle control

Description

This listing is for FOUR-WAY SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD FOR SMALL HIVE BEETLE CONTROL as described in a YouTube video (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ns
. This beetle bottom board fits 8-frame and 10-frame hives without modification. The tray is accessed from the back of the hive.
Unlike other bottom boards, this bottom board is exceptionally durable in that it is made from 1 ½” lumber, #7 galvanized screen mesh, and uses a standard culinary aluminum tray that should last the lifetime of the bottom board. This bottom board features a screen area and aluminum tray opening that can be operated in four different ways to address different hive management needs. For example:
1) To provide full ventilation with the screen completely open the tray is removed.
2) To capture beetles the tray can be installed with rim up for holding mineral or cooking oil to kill beetles and mites.
3) To restrict air flow based upon the season or other needs such as to maintain heat for the brood or cluster the tray can be installed with rim down.
4) To provide partial ventilation in the back of the hive the tray can be pulled forward.
The aluminum tray can be removed during winter and replaced with solid wood pieces or a sheet of ¾-1” Styrofoam. The screen keeps the hive secure from the bottom.
The screened portion of the bottom board covers about 85% of the area below a 10-frame hive box and 100% of the area below an 8-frame hive.
Importantly, the plastic beetle diverter strips block the remaining horizontal space between the inside of the hive body box and the outside frames in a 10-frame hive. The function of diverter strips is to guide the beetles moving along the ¾” rim inside the bottom board onto the screen. In one field test the bottom board killed nearly 1000 small hive beetles in 15 hours.
Because small hive beetles are sexually dimorphic, females are larger than males, it is critical that the correct size of screen mesh be used. This bottom board uses #7 screen mesh that allows both sexes of small hive beetles to pass through it yet the opening is small enough that bees cannot pass through it. For reference, #8 screen wire is too small and #6 screen is too large.
The bottom board is ship unassembled and unpainted. All necessary screws are provided. Assembly is very easy and requires a screw driver, a measuring tape, and a staple gun. Instructions for assembly and use are provided.