One of my hives sits on a table and this doesn't allow airflow from the bottom up. I have a screened bottom board, which is excellent during the summer time because it allows airflow. Also, if a nasty little wax moth sneaks in and lays her eggs, the larvae will fall through the screen as well as mites and they will drop to the ground for the ever hungry ants to feast upon.The top picture is the hive sitting on the table. The temperature was in the 70's and the bees weren't gathered half way up the front like they were on Saturday when it was in the 90's.
This is a picture of the hive after I removed the table. Lots of ventilation. Ten minutes later most of the bees were inside the hive.
