Beehive Bottom Boards-Which Type is Best?

Getting your beehive equipment ready before the bees arrive is one of your first major beekeeping tasks. You need to review the different options for bottom boards for beehives and decide which one to use. Langstroth hives (the industry standard) generally have either a solid or one with screen. Each type has advantages-it is up to you to decide which one to use.

What better place to start than the base or floor of a beehive called a bottom board. Of course, there are several common types of beehives in use. The most common is the Langstroth Hive-so we will discuss that one in this article.

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For many years, solid boards were the industry standard. This base of the hive was made of a solid wood floor. As a foundation of the hive, they did a good job.

What Does A Bottom Board Do?

First, let’s understand the function of a bottom board. In the Langstroth hive, it is the base or floor of the beehive.  All the other bee boxes (or supers)sit on this base.

Because of the way it is made, the base also provides an entrance for the bees. Those little sides and piece at the back, provide a way for bees to enter the box stack.

If you decide to try your skill at building your own beehives, follow your plan instructions on the size of these side pieces. This will ensure that your equipment is standard.

This entrance is easily reduced or closed entirely using entrance reducers or even a good stick. We want to reduce the size of the opening according to conditions or colony population.

Another purpose of the bottom board is to protect the base of the hive from larger predators such as mice, opossums etc. This can be very beneficial if you live in an area with many small predators.

Because most bottom boards are made of wood. They will last longer if they are elevated off the ground.

Take the time to construct a hive stand for your beehives. Raising the hive off the ground not only protects your wood – it also saves your back while doing hive inspections.

In recent years, hive bases have become available in plastic and various composites. Reportedly they require less maintenance than wood. However, the really good ones are quite expensive.

Solid Bottom Boards (SBB) have been in use for more than 100 years and are still popular. They are part of the original Langstroth hive design.

The use of screened bottoms for a beehive came into use in the years since varroa mites become a problem for our bees.

Which one is best for your hives? Honestly, both types have advantages. Some beekeepers have both and switch them on their hives as needed.

Disadvantages of Solid Bottom Boards

This type of hive base is not without its challenges. All through the year, debris will drop down through the hive. Dropped pollen, beeswax, propolis and pests will accumulate on the solid floor.

This accumulation of hive debris can cause pest problems. You may have wax moths or Small Hive Beetles reproducing in the debris. For this reason, the board should be cleaned several times a year.

Taking routine mite drop counts are more difficult. If the beekeeper uses natural mite drops as a measure of varroa infestation, special equipment is needed.

With solid bottoms, you will need to purchase a special wire/sticky board combination to do a mite drop count. Otherwise, your honey bees will stick to the count board!

Taking Mite Counts Easier

Screened Bottom Boards gained popularity among beekeepers during the influx of varroa mites. They were originally designed to be part of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) system.

Researchers understood that a small percentage of mites drop from adult bees during grooming. Any mites that fell through the screen to the ground would not make it back into the hive.

While the screened bottom only removed a small percentage of varroa mites, it helped with mite control in another way.

The screen allowed for an easy method of testing for mites. A “sticky board” could be placed under the wire base.

The wire screen keeps the bees off the sticky board.  Mites falling through land on the sticky board.

This enables the beekeeper to count the natural mite drop. And, they can estimate the level of mite infestation in the colony.

Living in an area with Small Hive Beetles, I choose to use screened for heat relief. Hives placed in full sun are less plagued by hive beetles.

But, it gets hot out there in the sun during July! Having a screen insert helps my bees control the heat inside.

Disadvantages of Screened Bottom Boards

Pests Entering Hive from Below

Screened Bottom Boards have # 8 size wire mesh. This size of mesh wire will not allow honey bees, wasps or hornets to enter.

However, tiny beetles are able to fit through the wire. This is a concern for me. However, beetles seem to have no problem just walking in the front door either!

Should You Close the Screened Bottom Board in Winter?

Many northern beekeepers use Screened Bottom Boards without closing them. The grid that comes with your board is intended for mite counts and not to be left on the hive.

Some beekeepers feel concern over leaving the screen open during Winter cold – even in marginal climates.  In Southern regions, there is no harm in leaving the mite count board in during winter to block drafts.

If you live in very frigid regions, you might have 2 bottom boards for your beehives. Using the screened one in Summer and the solid in Winter. Or a solid board that is periodically cleaned of debris may be best if it stays cool all year.

Which Bottom Board for Beehives is Best?

The region in which you live – whether extreme cold or hot may play a role in your decision of choosing a bottom board for your beehive.

All types have  advantages and challenges. But, the truth is that either type of bottom board can work well for your honey bee colonies. And neither one is perfect without any challenges.