Beehive Base Risers Set 10mm - Bottom Board Spacers

Three Bars That Set Your Entrance Height and Bee Space in One Go

The gap between a bottom board and the brood box does two jobs. It is the entrance, and it is the bee space under the frames. That gap is set by the risers, the thin strips fixed around three edges of the board. Hive tools lever against them and water sits on them, and after a few seasons they split, rot or come loose, leaving the brood box sitting crooked with a draught underneath.

This set gives you three replacement risers at 10mm height: two for the sides and one for the back, with the front left open as the entrance. It is a straightforward fix for a tired bottom board, or the missing piece if you are building your own. It suits standard 8 and 10 frame Langstroth boards.

Why 10mm

A 10mm entrance is on the low side, and that is the point. A smaller opening is easier for a colony to guard against robbing bees and European wasps, and it lets less cold air in through autumn and winter. If you want more clearance underneath, for summer airflow or to fit a beetle tray, the 25mm riser set with its own front entrance bar is the better choice.

Fitting Them

Scrape the old risers off, clean the board back to flat, and fix the new bars flush with the side and rear edges with exterior glue and a few nails. Check the length against your board first and trim if needed. Paint or wax dip the board afterwards so the end grain is sealed.

What It Is Not

This is not a hive stand and does not lift the hive off the ground. It adds no ventilation on its own either. If moisture and small hive beetle are the problem, a mesh bottom board with a tray solves both and does not need these.

Specifications

• Height: 10mm
• Set includes: 2 side bars and 1 back bar (front left open as entrance)
• Suits: standard 8 and 10 frame Langstroth bottom boards, trim to length if needed
• Also available: 25mm riser set with front entrance bar
• Not included: fixings and glue

What is in the set?

Three 10mm risers: two side bars and one back bar. The front is left open as the entrance.

What hives do they suit?

Standard 8 and 10 frame Langstroth bottom boards. Check the length against your board first and trim if needed.

What do bottom board risers do?

They set the gap between the bottom board and the brood box, which is both the entrance and the bee space under the frames.

Why choose a 10mm entrance?

A smaller opening is easier for a colony to guard against robbing bees and European wasps, and it lets less cold air in through autumn and winter.

What if I want a taller entrance?

The 25mm riser set with its own front entrance bar gives more clearance for summer airflow or to fit a beetle tray.

How do I fit them?

Scrape off the old risers, clean the board flat, then fix the new bars flush with the side and rear edges using exterior glue and a few nails.

Are glue and nails included?

No. Fixings and glue are not included.

Should I paint the board afterwards?

Yes. Paint or wax dip the board afterwards so the end grain is sealed.

Will these lift the hive off the ground?

No. They are not a hive stand. They only set the entrance and bee space gap.

Do they add ventilation?

No. If moisture and small hive beetle are the problem, a mesh bottom board with a tray solves both and does not need these risers.