At the base of a top-entrance hive

[TwoHoneys]

On his website, Michael Bush writes that at the base of his hives with top entrances, he uses an 8-frame slatted rack attached with #8 hardware cloth.

My question: Is the #8 hardware cloth on the very bottom (on the ground) or is it between the bottom rack and the first hive box. In other words, should I attach it to the top or the bottom of the slatted rack?

(More naive questions to follow, I'm sure.)

Liz

[Michael Bush]

I used to.  If I had some eight frame slatted racks and didn't have to buy them I probably would again.  I sold all the slatted racks when I converted to eight frame (they were 10 frame) and I moved to solid bottom boards when I expanded to 200 hives so I wouldn't have to buy 200 feeders.  I converted the feeders to a modified Jay Smith bottom board feeder.

As to the original question.  I just put #8 hardware cloth on the very bottom of the rack.  I never put anything on the ground that is untreated wood.  The rack would set on treated four by fours or whatever other kind of stand I had.  On the 4 x 4s the grass tends to grow up enough to block the wind without a tray in, but if you put a 3/4" rail on each side of the slatted rack you can slip a tray under it.  That way you have the wind blocked and something to monitor mites.

[TwoHoneys]

Thanks, Michael.