These are beehive entrance discs. They are components used in beekeeping to regulate the access to a beehive.
Function and Use
Beehive entrance discs are typically are designed to be attached to the entrance of a beehive box. By rotating the disc, a beekeeper can adjust the size of the hive entrance to serve several purposes:
- Fully open: Allows all bees to enter and exit the hive freely.
- Queen excluder: Provides a smaller opening that allows worker bees to pass through but keeps larger bees like the queen and drones inside the hive.
- Ventilation: A setting with small holes allows for air circulation while keeping the bees contained. This is useful for preventing the hive from getting too humid in summer or for moving the hive.
- Fully closed: Seals the hive completely, which is helpful for transporting the hive or protecting the colony from nearby pesticide spraying or animal attacks.
Additional Benefits
- Pest and Predator Control: A smaller entrance makes it easier for guard bees to defend the hive against robber bees, wasps, and mice, especially during the fall and winter when the colony population is lower.
- Colony Management: Adjusting the entrance size can help a weak colony defend itself or support a new colony as it grows.
- Ventilation: The discs can be used to improve airflow within the hive, which is important for temperature regulation, especially in humid climates.
