10-Frame Cypress Screened Bottom Board

The 10-Frame Cypress Screened Bottom Board does three things: it forms the floor of the hive, it keeps air moving through the colony, and it lets anything that falls out of the cluster — debris, wax flakes, and mites — drop through the screen instead of building up inside the hive. That last function is why screened bottom boards became standard practice in beekeeping over the past few decades. Varroa mites fall off bees during grooming. With a screened floor, they fall through and land on a sticky board or in an oil trap below. With a solid floor, they land and climb back up.

We built this one from cypress because cypress handles moisture and weather better than pine without requiring chemical treatment. It stays dimensionally stable, resists rot, and holds up through humid Southern summers and wet winters without warping or deteriorating. The joints are glued with Titebond and fastened with staples and nails on the assembled option. The unassembled version is for beekeepers who prefer to assemble and finish their own woodenware.

The screen integrates with the Small Hive Beetle Oil Pan Trap — the redesigned rail underneath allows the oil tray to seal completely, so bees can't access oil or diatomaceous earth placed in the tray. The lower rail also supports a corrugated board that slides in to close the screen when you want to reduce drafts or add insulation during cold weather.

Screened vs. Solid Bottom Board

We sell both, and we use both. The screened board gives you ventilation, passive mite drop monitoring, and beetle trap compatibility. The solid board gives you better insulation and a simpler setup. Neither is universally better — it depends on your climate, your management style, and what you're trying to accomplish. Watch our video on this below if you're not sure which to start with.

Watch: Solid vs. Screened Bottom Boards — Pros, Cons, and Which to Choose

Key Features

• Cypress construction — naturally rot-resistant, dimensionally stable, handles moisture without warping or chemical treatment.
• Screened floor — allows debris, wax particles, and varroa mites to fall through. Functions as a passive monitoring and management aid.
• Small Hive Beetle Oil Pan Trap compatible — the redesigned lower rail allows the oil tray to seal completely beneath the screen.
• Closable screen — a corrugated board slides into the lower rail to close the screen when less ventilation is needed.
• Two finish options — unpainted for beekeepers who finish their own woodenware; primed and painted for those who want it ready to use.
• Assembled option available — glued with Titebond, fastened with staples and nails.

Product Details

Related Reading

• Parts of a Beehive: The Basic Components
• Survey of Varroa Mite Treatments

You May Also Need

• Small Hive Beetle Oil Pan Trap
• 10-Frame Cypress Metal Capped Telescoping Cover
• 10 Frame Inner Cover

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