Langstroth Hive Bottom Board - Varroa Monitoring

Product detailed description

Varroa Monitoring Bottom Board for Langstroth Polyurethane Hives
The Varroa monitoring bottom board is designed for Langstroth-type hives and features a full mesh made of stainless steel or aluminum with a mesh size of 3.15 mm. This construction allows for effective monitoring of Varroa mite drop.

Structure and Functions of the Varroa Bottom

• Divider for Nucleus Colonies: One divider divides the hive box into two nucleus colonies with a frame arrangement of 5+5.
• Additional Equipment:
  • 2 trapezoidal stoppers
  • 1 plastic mouse guard for the entrance
  • Plastic deck for Varroa monitoring
• Dimensions and weight: 12 x 46.4 x 57 cm; weight: 1.3 kg

Usage Recommendations

If you need to divide the hive into two nucleus colonies, completely close the front entrance, insert the divider, and open the rear trapezoidal stoppers to provide each nucleus colony with its own flight entrance.

Winter and Early Spring: From February 1 to March 30, fully close the bottom ventilation with the plastic deck to support colony development at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Gradually remove the deck in April, depending on the weather.

Summer: In hot summer days when temperatures exceed 30°C, use the ventilation stoppers on the cover instead of the regular ones and place a vapor-permeable sheet on top. Alternatively, place a propolis collection grid on the upper frames and fully open the ventilation openings for improved air circulation.

Varroa Mite Monitoring: To take wax samples or check Varroa mite drop, keep the plastic deck slightly open (at least 5 cm) to ensure sufficient ventilation.

Key Advantages of Flugo Polyurethane Beehives

• Lightweight & Portable: At just 1.8 kg, the hive body is easy to handle and transport.
• Faster Spring Development: Superior thermal insulation helps accelerate bee development in the spring.
• Reduced Winter Feed Consumption: Bees use up to 50% less food in winter, conserving resources.
• Superior Insulation: With 3 cm thick polyurethane walls, equivalent to 14 cm of wood, bees enjoy optimal conditions year-round.
• Seamless Design: The single-piece molded body eliminates joints, simplifying maintenance.
• Langstroth Compatibility: Fully compatible with standard 10-frame wooden Langstroth hives, but we recommend checking dimensions before purchasing.
• Easy to Maintain: Smooth surfaces make cleaning easy and reduce the risk of disease.
• Optimal Year-Round Conditions: In summer, the hives maintain a stable temperature for honey production, and in winter, they reduce bee mortality, potentially boosting honey production by 30%.
• Pest Resistant: Polyurethane resists damage from rodents and insects, extending the hive's lifespan.
• Convenient Rabbets: Hive body rabbets make it easy to move and rearrange components.
• Durability & Strength: Resistant to weather (rain, snow, wind, hail), fire, rot, and toxic emissions.
• Easy Transport: Lightweight design enables transporting more hives, increasing colony numbers and honey output.
• All-Climate Suitability: Flugo hives perform well in any global climate, regardless of weather conditions.

Painting Instructions

Polyurethane is not UV-resistant, so we recommend applying UV-stable paint to extend the hive's lifespan to up to 30 years. Through extensive experimentation over the last decade, we found the best practice is to expose the hives to the sun for 1–2 years before painting. Lightly sand the surface before applying any UV-stable paint, whether synthetic, water-based, or two-component coatings. Properly painted hives can maintain their finish for up to 10 years without needing repainting.

Potential Disadvantages

While not critical, unpainted hives will have a shorter lifespan. After two years in direct sunlight, polyurethane will begin peeling at a rate of about 1 mm per year, limiting the hive's life expectancy to 10–15 years—comparable to wooden hives. Small air bubbles or minor imperfections formed during manufacturing do not affect the hive's performance and are not considered defects. Please refer to the listing photos for details.