# Feedback on Features I am thinking about adding to Hive **URL:** \ **Category:** Modifications & Building Bee Hives\ **Created:** [February 16, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153 "2016-02-16T05:12:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/21 "2016-02-16T20:09:59Z")
> [@Dee](#): > > Largely disproved these days I like the screen for counting, not for load reduction. Then I can decide when/if to treat - I use one of those squared boards. I don’t like the sugar shake method - upsets me and the bees. I know it is more accurate, but as my bees are VSH anyway, I prefer not to torture them. ---
**Author:** ![lhengst](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/lhengst/32/2388_2.png) [@lhengst](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/lhengst)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/22 "2016-02-16T20:10:40Z")
> [@Dee](#): > > Derek and Elaine Mitchell. They have a paper on Springerhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00484-015-1057-z For a mere $40, all of my questions about hive insulation could be answered. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/23 "2016-02-16T20:11:45Z")
Or you could go to your local university library and make a copy… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dee/32/5840_2.png) [@Dee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/24 "2016-02-16T21:11:43Z")
> [@Dawn\_SD](#): > > I like the screen for counting Yes, that’s what I meant. I have had insignificant natural drop and thousands after treatment. Lots of beeks in the UK report similar so like it or not we have to sample bees. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/25 "2016-02-16T21:26:20Z")
> [@Dee](#): > > I have had insignificant natural drop and thousands after treatment. I can’t get to my next local beekeeping meeting, but I will ask what the pros think at the one after that. I haven’t lost a colony to varroa yet, but I am willing to learn. Dawn ---
**Author:** ![Philip\_Waters](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/philip_waters/32/8651_2.png) [@Philip\_Waters](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Philip_Waters)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/26 "2016-02-17T01:47:36Z")
would you have a photo? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dee/32/5840_2.png) [@Dee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dee)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 7:53am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/27 "2016-02-17T07:53:22Z")
> [@Philip\_Waters](#): > > would you have a photo? 🙂 Of what, please?.. ---
**Author:** ![Philip\_Waters](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/philip_waters/32/8651_2.png) [@Philip\_Waters](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Philip_Waters)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/28 "2016-02-17T22:23:46Z")
Sorry @Dee, I clicked reply to your post but instead of placing the post under yours, it went to the bottom of the thread! I would love to see photos of your enveloping jacket. > [@Dee](#): > > What I have an all enveloping jacket of 50mm PIR insulation with 100mm on the top of the closed crown board. Insulation equals a warm hive and NO condensation. No need for ventilation.My hives are bone dry through the winter.Just my recipe. ---
**Author:** ![lhengst](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/lhengst/32/2388_2.png) [@lhengst](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/lhengst)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153/29 "2016-02-17T22:55:51Z")
Ok… so I have started modifying my hive. I will post pictures when I am done. Below are the ‘features’ I have decided to add… - Mineral Oil tray in the bottom board (done, I had to use a router to get a half size baking pan to fit) - screen over the hole in top of hive - Hole in roof (the front wall of the roof, not the top, for ventilation, I will have a way to close it up in the winter) - Move flow frame access latch up 1/2 inch so that it works better - Add a metal entrance reducer that will double as mouse protection in the winter - Hive stand (as high as possible without being annoying, probably 2.5 feet) - honey jar shelf on hive stand that also doubles as a place to hang frames while working with the hive. - Put the legs of the hive stand inside a bowl full of mineral oil (to discourage ants) I should be done with the modifications and stand in the next day or two. Lorne [Previous page](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/feedback-on-features-i-am-thinking-about-adding-to-hive/5153.md?page=1)