National OMF Ken Hoare Roger Patterson Version With Tray Rational Floor Slatted Version		"A-Z" INDEX &   SEARCH A collection of Open Mesh Floor Designs for Bee Hives Various designs of open mesh floor (screened bottom boards) for ventilation or monitoring mite fall, that have been generated by different individuals at different times. The list at left identifies some of the types by the name of the inventor or proponent of the design. Open Mesh Floors are not a new idea, but have been around for about a century and a half, their main reason for use being to promote wintering under harsh conditions.

Open Mesh Floors have several advantages, they provide ventilation of the hive and thus remove the need for special ventilated top screens when moving colonies in Summer.

They reduce opportunities for robbing to develop, because smaller entrance apertures can be used, that are easier for the bees to defend.

If used in conjunction with top insulation and zero top ventilation, they eliminate condensation at the hive top in winter, which in turn eliminates mould growth.

They are convenient for monitoring natural mite drop or that induced by treatment.

Written... 28 February 2007,