The floor looks like a simple part but directly affects colony health. Ventilation, moisture management and Varroa monitoring all pass through it.

Two types

Solid floor

A flat floor without openings; the traditional type.

• Retains heat better
• May be preferred in cold climates
• More prone to moisture build-up
• Mite counting is not possible

Open mesh floor

The underside is a mesh screen. This is the type now generally preferred.

• Provides ventilation; reduces moisture build-up
• Allows mite counting. A tray beneath collects fallen mites
• Relieves the colony in summer heat
• In cold climates it should be closable for winter

The tray as a measuring tool

The tray under a mesh floor does more than count mites:

• Mite drop: For following a trend
• Wax crumbs: Where they fall shows the width of the winter cluster
• Brood remains: Indicates cleaning behaviour
• Traces of pests

It is the place that tells you most about a colony without opening it.

Tilt

The hive should stand tilted slightly forward, so condensation and any rain that enters run out of the entrance.

In a hive tilted backwards the water stays inside, with serious consequences in winter.

Height off the ground

The floor should be raised. The gains: moisture is cut off, timber rots more slowly, and some pests find access harder.

The entrance

The entrance on the floor should be adjustable to the season and the strength of the colony.

• Strong colony, flow on: Wide
• Weak colony, dearth: Narrow, against robbing
• Winter: Narrow, with a mouse guard, but not closed

Maintenance

The floor is the dirtiest and dampest part of the hive. It should be cleaned in spring and replaced if necessary.

Keeping spare floors allows cleaning to be done later rather than at the hive.