SBB

[SteveSC]

I'm fitting all my hives with slatted racks and SBB boards.  

Do you leave the SBB open all year or do you use a sliding panel below it to close it off in the winter to cut down on drafts...?  

It seems drafts would be an issue since almost the entire bottom of the of the BB would be open....I'm just not sure but I want to do it right the first time.   Thanks.

Steve in SC

[NCBee]

I have seen some posts on beesource that indicate some beekeepers keep them in year round.  I know of one in Charleston WV that leaves his in all the time, and has no problem with overwintering.  I plan to leave mine in as well.

[Brian D. Bray]

Leaving the SBB open year around is not a problem.  If you like a hive to a hot air balloon you will see that the warm air is retained within and any cool air will drop out of the bottom.  Likewise wind can blow across the bottom and only pull the lower cooler air out of the hive a lilttle at a time.  The bees can replace such a minor heat lot easily. If you want or think you need an additional thermal layer at the bottom of the hive use a slatted rack.

[NCBee]

I plan to use a slatted rack on the hives.  Guess we will see.