Should bees have access to a vent box

[WayneW]

I am planning on building a ventalted box for the top on my stack(s). Similar to the Better Bee version, although mine will be somewhat shorter.........maybe a box aprox 3in high. Should i allow bees in this space (e.g provide an upper entrance) also allowing the to defend it, or should i screen the bottom and the vent holes of the box with something like window screen which should keep out pests? The top entrance i was planning on using would be one integrated into the inner cover.

[Robo]

I'm not familiar with what better bee offers, but I build mine similar to the DE hive vent box.   I like to make them the size of a medium, as it gives enough space to feed with a quart mason jar, and also gives room to put frames in for robbing out without causing fighting.



As far as the screen,  DE hive screens them,  but I removed it.  I found with the screen,  all kinds of bugs (earwigs, spiders, ants) will take up residence in them if the bees do not have access to patrol.   I have never had bees draw comb in them either.  Now I'm sure you can get them to if you cramp them enough.

[gaucho10]

I have something similar to what Robo and others have for a ventilated top box.  My box is only 3" high but I add a medium or deep supper for winter feeding.  I like it because it allows me to feed the bees undisturbed,  allows me to keep a check on them during the winter (undisturbed) and it works really nice for ventilation.  Last summer (first time I ever used this type of a box) I had a "slide-in" screen over the center hole.  This prevented them from moving in to the box.  For the winter I removed the screen and they have access to feed on inverted honey bottles or pollen subs. 

[img=http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5351/008bcc.th.jpg]http://

[gaucho10]

Sorry, I goofed on the first pic posting.  Here it is.

[Bee-Bop]

I use homemade Vent boxes,they are made from 1 X 4's , the center hole was enlarged,then a piece of # 8 wire was stapled over the hole.

Using a Illinois box, I can feed from a Qt. jar setting on the wire, I can refill jar with out any flying bees.
For winter I cover the #8 wire with a small piece of cardboard then fill the box with wood mulch, this insulates, breaths, and also absorbs any moisture from the hive below.

During the winter, on a sunny day I can brush the mulch aside, remove the cardboard and look into the hive below, most of the time seeing bees moving around. [ curiosity killed the cat they say, but still fun to look ]

I really like them

Bee-Bop

[Pi]

What ever entrance you want to add, make sure it's just one.
I have a vent box like Robo's with window screen covering the 2" holes.  When the humid dog days of summer settle in down here in the southeast, I take my inner cover off and just put the vent box atop the hive.  Some bees plaster up the window screen with propolis, some don't.  I just blast the screen lightly with a propane torch and put it back on.  They get bored in the summer.