Hi Dawn,
I have a question about this- as temps are starting to rise, I put screen over the circular feeder hole on my cover thinking it would help give them some ventilation and keep them cooler. They are still not quite ready for a second box as they still have a frame that is only about a quarter drawn, but it’s looking pretty crowded in there otherwise. Should I cover it back up completely? My hive entrance is about 3 in. Is that enough ventilation? I also have a couple water sources for them within a stones throw.
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I don’t use the inner cover for ventilation. Mine has a tile over it at all times. However, many people do what you have done, so it is up to you.
I would open up the entrance to about 6 inches now. It sounds like they are strong enough to defend that much. The water is a great idea. They may also need some afternoon shade, if they are in the sun all day. Some people use a parasol or some shade cloth/sail, if there isn’t any natural shade. If the temperatures get up into the high 80s, they will definitely appreciate that, especially if they are bearding in the heat of the day. 
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Thank you @Dawn_SD!! I had taken out the reducer last week as I was doing a MAQs treatment and they seemed to be fending for themselves well. I just put it back in today and I’ll adjust it to 6 inches tomorrow am.
The hive gets dappled to full shade from 11ish-3ish pm each day this time of year, but it gets full sun in the morning and afternoon. I was thinking about trying to find a way to give them a bit more reprieve later in the day and love the idea of using a cloth sail.
Today was really the first time I saw any substantial bearding so hopefully tomorrow with a bigger entrance they won’t have to work quite so hard 
Thanks again!
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