Why use an inner cover?

[phil...@gmail.com]

This is my first year at beekeeping, and I'm wondering what the
purpose of the inner cover is. It doesn't keep out moisture, it
doesn't hold the bees inside the hive and it doesn't add to the
ventilation of the hive.

What does it do? For me and for the bees?

Thanks,

Phil

[Carl Pope]

Hi:
My name is Carl and I live in North Carolina USA.
I have ask the same question, *** and I have been a beekeeper many years.
One of the reasons is it will make the top cover come off without
damage to it from prying it from the top super.
One of the other reasons is to place a "bee excluder" in it and place
it between the super you plan to remove and it will let the bees out but
not back in the super.
Check the Brushy Mountain Bee Farm or the Millers Bee Supply out online.
They will send a free 2008 catalogue if you ask but have it all one
line as well.
They are great learning tools for the new beekeeper.

www.brushymountainbeefarm.com
and
www.millerbeesupply.com

Good To see some activity on this NG check out the other NG.
sci.agriculture.beekeeping

There is no activity there now.
CArl

[Dominic Richens]

You need something between the super and the outer cover - otherwise the
bees will glue it down with proplis and you'll never get it off.

A fellow keeper uses a piece of canvas instead - works quite well and it is
usually easer to peel the canvas off than it is to pry off the inner cover.

With a solid inner cover, you can cut a 2" hole in the inner cover for
feeding.

--
Dominic Richens | kn...@storm.ca
"If you're not *outraged*, you're not paying attention!"