Double screen boards are a very handy tool for a number of beekeeping needs! This is a simple wooden frame with two screens separated by 1/8" hardware cloth. A 3/8" entrance is included on one end for the upper colony to go in and out (the lower colony uses their bottom board entrance).
The double screen board is useful in the following situations, to name a few:
1. Overwintering and/or spring buildup of weaker hives. Place a weaker colony on top of a stronger one with the double screen board in between. Warmth and energy from the stronger colony below can provide quite a boost to the weaker hive!
2. Combining two hives. Place the double screen between the two colonies for a couple of days, so they can adjust to each other before fully combining. Less stressful for the bees!
3. Resolving a laying worker situation. In some cases, you can dispel a laying worker scenario by placing the laying worker colony on top of a strong queenright colony, with the double screen separating them. Over time, the pheromones from the queen below will shut down the laying worker. Doesn't always work, but worth a shot!
4. It can also serve as a vented inner cover or moving screen!
About wax dipping: our wax dipped beehive components will stand the test of time and are completely ready to use! The hive parts are boiled in hot wax. During that process, moisture is forced out of the wood and wax is forced in.
Wax dipped hive components are known to last for 20 years or more with zero maintenance, and NO NEED to reapply wax later. Wax dipped hives CANNOT be painted, but instead preserves the beautiful, natural wood appearance. The wood color will steadily darken over time from exposure to the sun, but it won't rot or deteriorate!
Our wax dipped hive components are NOT THE SAME as some of our competitors, particularly the cheap imported hives from Amazon, Temu, and other online sellers. Their so-called "wax dipping" process involves just a quick dip into a vat of warm liquid wax, which simply coats the wood, rather than impregnating the wood like our process does. Their process will require re-coating every couple of years, while ours will last for decades without maintenance.
