Bottom Board
A Bottom Board is an essential piece of beekeeping equipment that forms the floor of a beehive. Think of it as the foundation or base of a bee house. It's the lowest part of the hive that provides an entrance for bees, helps with ventilation, and assists beekeepers in monitoring hive health. Sometimes called a "hive floor" or "hive bottom," this equipment comes in different styles like solid or screened versions. Screened bottom boards are particularly popular as they help control harmful mites and provide better air flow for the bee colony.
Examples in Resumes
Maintained 50+ colonies using Bottom Board pest monitoring techniques
Implemented Bottom Board debris tracking to assess colony health
Upgraded apiary equipment with screened Bottom Boards for improved hive ventilation
Conducted weekly Hive Bottom inspections for pest management
Installed new Hive Floor systems across 30 colonies
Typical job title: "Beekeepers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Beekeepers
Online Communities
Professional Organizations
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you use bottom board debris to assess colony health?
Expected Answer: An experienced beekeeper should explain how different types of debris (like wax cappings, dead bees, or mite counts) can indicate various colony conditions, and how they use this information to make management decisions.
Q: What factors do you consider when choosing between solid and screened bottom boards?
Expected Answer: Should discuss climate considerations, pest management needs, ventilation requirements, and how these factors affect colony health and productivity in different seasons.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How often should bottom boards be cleaned and why?
Expected Answer: Should explain seasonal cleaning schedules, the importance of monitoring debris buildup, and how proper maintenance affects hive health and pest control.
Q: What signs of disease or pest problems can you spot from bottom board inspections?
Expected Answer: Should describe various types of debris that indicate common problems like varroa mites, wax moths, or disease, and explain basic monitoring procedures.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a bottom board in a beehive?
Expected Answer: Should explain that it's the floor of the hive that provides an entrance for bees, helps with ventilation, and allows for monitoring of hive debris.
Q: What are the basic differences between solid and screened bottom boards?
Expected Answer: Should describe how solid boards provide more warmth while screened boards offer better ventilation and pest monitoring capabilities.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic hive component identification
- Simple bottom board cleaning
- Understanding of hive entrance management
- Basic debris monitoring
Mid (2-4 years)
- Advanced pest monitoring techniques
- Seasonal bottom board management
- Colony health assessment
- Equipment maintenance and repair
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex colony health diagnostics
- Advanced pest management strategies
- Equipment modification and improvement
- Teaching and training others
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic hive components
- Inability to recognize common pest signs in bottom board debris
- Lack of understanding about proper hive ventilation
- No experience with regular hive maintenance
Related Terms
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