Variation on the standard bottom board design

a Canadian Beekeeper’s Blog

[@adam.tinsley]

Great video! I just stumbled across this. I’ve been trying to figure out from your other videos how you make your pallets. I don’t have an easy lift system but I think I like the 2-way pallets better than 4-way so all my hives can face the right way on a downhill slope. Going to start making some of these up. Thanks for your educational videos!

[@johncarson1222]

Hi Ian Great job communicating and passing on your knowledge. I summer just outside Edmonton and winter in southern Florida and beekeep in both spots. Each are very different and challenging in their own way. If you are ever traveling to Edmonton via motorhome or such and could use a resting spot, just let me know. Always welcome. John

[@Westernwilson]

I like your angled bottom boards for the nucs...here in the coastal rainforest that would be helpful.

[@hectorbarrios8178]

Thanks for sharing this great information and helping the others!

[@toddparsons5780]

Ian, thanks for this. I am getting a boom crane and just ordered 100 two-way pallets, hot dipped in rosin. Very excited to see them in action, and will help to make my apiary much more efficient. Cheers! Todd

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

todd parsons good luck on your established venture 👍

[@beewagyu]

Where do you get your yellow plastic bung feed stoppers? What size hole do you use for them? How do you embed the screen in your feed buckets and what size holes are drilled for the syrup? Sorry for all the questions. Love your channel and your thoughts on running bees. And life. Thx

[@nahilbal]

Your work is very good. I want to take you as an example. I would like to come and see your work in your country. You are very successful

[@trentsmith3672]

Great information. Thank you. If you could give more information on the wax/resin dip, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Trent Smith it’s a paraffin resin dip I contract it out to www.lewisandsons.ca/

[@trentsmith3672]

Thank you.

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Brilliant as always! Thanks Ian! Your videos always inspire me! Where do you get or what do you make the U-clips from? dimensions?

[@PaulSmith-tf9bn]

Thank you, just what I wanted to know.

[@backyardbeesllc5691]

Did you do a little more detailed video of your pallet bottom boards? Like exact dimensions type of wood you used Etc. I would greatly appreciate that!

[@mikeries8549]

All the information needed to build exact replicas of his pallets is in the video. Figure it out. If you need an architect to draw you a blueprint that's gunna be extra.

[@gonzothegreat1317]

Could you explain the wax-resin solution, you use to protect your boxes, a little more?

[@agofsa]

what material do you use for your inner cover and where do you get it. You are an inspiration!

[@lynsmith2698]

Hey Ian..where do you get the bungs for the lids from. Thanks for posting the video

[@bradkendrick1127]

Hi Ian I realize this is a older video but very helpful info. I’m putting together some nucs is it necessary to have sloped bottom board’s?

[@robertspence6405]

From watching your vids you have a very diverse assortment of supers. Some look homemade, many appear to be Dadant and Kelley. Many appear to be repaired. Did you buy up equipment from people getting out of bee keeping? I bought some used stuff last year and wish I had not due to all the extra unforeseen work I had to do to get them serviceable again. Sorry I missed you when you were in Pittsburgh.

[@mileawayhoney]

pretty extreme angle on the nuc base. do you do that on all your bases? no metal on top?

[@andreafasoli8460]

Very interesting, thx. Have a question: why you, and other user of pallet bottom, don't use varroa mite screen?

[@farmer998]

priceless information thanks.

[@rsavain]

Where do you put screw to attach to pallet?

[@bjosephduk7783]

Why have you chosen to have the extra 'landing board' area at the front of the hives/pallets? Do you find it makes life a lot better/easier/more productive etc for the bees? Do you not find that the flat 'landing board' area is problematic for collecting snow and rain and drenching and puddling in the entrance and on the bottom board (or even inside the hive)? I personally like a landing board area but feel the above can be potentially problematic. Thanks for the videos! Have a great season!

[@danielweston9188]

Well thought out . . .

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Daniel Weston . . .

[@beebob1279]

Are they tipped forward to keep out rain water? Is it in the design?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Bee Bob Yes

[@bryanzavada4926]

Why slant the bottom boards of the nucs but not the full sized colonies?

[@tomfuller9010]

Thanks for explanation saves back for those with.)ift

[@JIMPONYD]

Thanks for posting this video

[@rsavain]

What is height of bottom board for the 6 frame nuc. Pls give size of entrance reducer and how you attach it on bottom board or nuc.

[@dornkrull22]

I have a question. Why have the feed bung hole center? It would seem to me that dead center,with a vaccum break would drown the cluster? just curious. I have been useing internal feeders.But see that it would be faster not to have to pull every cover.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

greg grider basically logistics I offset many of my top holes but it doesn’t fit the Pail uptop

[@bulut1983]

Greetings from TURKEY

[@noahG82]

Hey Ian, is this still the same setup you use today?

[@bigtsbees3722]

Thank you!

[@ryanhofer2447]

Hi Ian where can I find those pallet clips

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I get my local metal manufacturer make them but Mann lake sells the m

[@samkendrick3068]

Do you know what the width of your runners are we tried building some with 1x2 but it didn't quite work so I was wondering what your exact measurements were on the runners and what kind of wood you make them out of

[@toddbeckpr]

Love your bottom board pallets! As a sideliner, I find you videos very beneficial. Do you make the U clips?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Todd Cichonowicz U clips found at www.beemaid.com

[@toddbeckpr]

Thanks!

[@beebob1279]

What about hive ventilation? Don't see any openings. I'm using some migratory covers but don't want to drill holes in my boxes. Maybe I'll run a grove on the inside of the cover for ventilation.

[@HaroldKeiner]

Your nuc bottom boards look like they are angled downward to the front of the box, 1/2 in space at rear and 3/4 to an inch at front opening. is that correct. Is that for moisture to run out. Thanks, enjoy your videos.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Harold Keiner yes It allows me to swiftly place out my nucs to mate without worrying about moisture problems

[@derekvandenheuvel3207]

Hi Ian, With your hives touching each other on the pallet, do you have any issue with ants nesting in between or under your pallets. I have major issues with ants here.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Yes , carpentry ants love that space

[@derekvandenheuvel3207]

a Canadian Beekeeper’s Blog how do you combat them?

[@derekvandenheuvel3207]

I also use a 2 way pallet but my bottoms are not attached. My pallets are 36". When I move them I have to strap the hives to the pallet. When I drop them off, I then have to unstrap and part the hives so they all have that 2" space. Ants usually leave them alone then.

[@derekvandenheuvel3207]

I am always looking for a simpler way

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Derek van den Heuvel poison under the pallets

[@sandertheking]

Did You ever considered to move to polystyrene or polyurethane hives or combined plastic and before mentioned materials like apimaye?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Sander Noormägi Typically work with what I got Works well, the dipping helps with rot

[@sandertheking]

a Canadian Beekeeper’s Blog What is the recepie of the Dip?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Sander Noormägi www.lewisandsons.ca/

[@petersboro8502]

Runner material 3/4 x 1 1/2 all the way around?

[@billiamc1969]

Did you start your operation with nucs or packages?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

BeeFriendlyApiary nucs and packages

[@Imkerei2024]

how you protect paint box ?

[@wayneparker9782]

If you would please....Why are the bottom boards at an angle on your nuc box's......thank you...👍😎

[@seapro4018]

That is probably for drainage

[@baartosssz]

Hi. What is the name of this pallet connector?

[@Josephstang]

It’s a “U clip” I believe Mannlake here in the U.S. sells them on their website.

[@beth-rg8bm]

How do you handle wax moths?

[@charlesoneill466]

On the 3/4" plywood...is it treated?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

jeanne ONeill not treated Dipped in wax

[@carinamuir7242]

i am getting bees

[@tomobites]

why the bottom of the hive is a wooden rather than a metal net.

[@강성희-j9g]

좋은 정보 감사합니다

[@Josephstang]

How much does an ez loader cost?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Joe -XwolfdogX- www.herbee.com

[@zacharycoombs9941]

How come you don't use a Foley size beekeeping palette four way

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Zachary Coombs I love all pallets with Ezyloader 2 ways are easier to move with Ezyloader

[@zacharycoombs9941]

How long have you been doing beekeeping also what kind of bees are you using buckfast condolence Italians or do you have Jess a mix

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Ive been beekeeping for 19 years, Carniolan bees

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Michael Moreno helps keep water off the bottom while scattering then all around in pastures for mating

[@TallPaul1288]

How did you get started in farming/beekeeping? Was it a family farm passed down? Enjoy the posts. Thanks

[@carinamuir7242]

how do you do your swam contr

[@k9sirus]

Thank you!

[@Тим-ю1у]

Thank you!