Screened Bottom Board

A screened bottom board swaps the solid floor for steel mesh — boosting ventilation and letting Varroa mites fall through and out of the hive instead of climbing back onto the bees. It's a year-round favorite for healthier colonies and easy mite monitoring, and fits any standard Langstroth hive in 5, 8, or 10 frame.

Features

• Steel mesh floor in a sturdy wood frame
• Improves airflow through the brood nest
• Lets groomed-off mites drop out instead of reattaching
• Fits standard Langstroth equipment in 5, 8, or 10 frame

How it works in real life

Set your brood box on the screened board, entrance to the front. Bees ventilate the hive more easily through the open floor, which helps in summer heat and during heavy nectar curing. Mites that fall while grooming drop through the mesh to the ground rather than catching a ride back up — a small but steady reduction in mite load. To take a mite count, slide a sticky board under the screen for 24 hours and tally the drop. If you want that counting tray built in, choose the insert version below.

Before you order

Choose the size that matches your hive body — 5, 8, or 10 frame. A fully open screen vents a lot of heat; in cold climates many keepers close or swap to a solid floor for winter.

Pairs Well With

• Screened Bottom Board with Insert — adds a removable tray for mite counts and closing the floor
• Solid Bottom Board — closed wood floor for cold-climate wintering
• Screened Inner Cover — screen the top too for full-season airflow
• Entrance Reducers — control the doorway through winter and robbing

Specifications

• Floor: steel mesh screen
• Frame: wood
• Sizes: 5, 8, or 10 frame Langstroth (standard footprint)

FAQ

Does a screened bottom board really reduce mites?

On its own it gives a modest, steady reduction — mites that fall while grooming drop out instead of reattaching. It's a monitoring and support tool, not a standalone treatment; pair it with a counting board and your regular mite plan.

Can I leave it open all year?

In warm climates, many do. In cold climates the open floor vents a lot of heat, so keepers often close it or switch to a solid board for winter.

How do I count mites with it?

Slide a sticky board under the screen for 24 hours, then count the mites that dropped. The insert version has a tray built in for exactly this.

Which size do I order?

Match it to your hive body — 5, 8, or 10 frame.