Beehive Entrance Reducer for Winter and Predator Control

This set includes three 10-frame screened bottom boards that are dipped in beeswax and come with entrance reducers, designed to fit standard Langstroth hives. The wax coating is intended to repel moisture, while the screened surface allows for ventilation and varroa mite monitoring without blocking airflow.

In the product photo, check the mesh tension on the screened surface to ensure it is taut enough to resist the weight of a raccoon or the gnawing pressure of mice. Look closely at the entrance reducer attachment point to verify it is a separate, removable piece rather than a fixed slot that might trap a worker bee if the board is installed at an angle.

This stainless steel entrance disc has a 4.92-inch diameter and is sold in a pack of eight, specifically sized for nuc boxes and smaller hive entrances. The metal construction is rigid, intended to prevent the entrance from being chewed open by small mammals or weathered by rain.

Examine the photo for the thickness of the steel rim; a thin gauge may bend under the pressure of a raccoon's paw. Verify that the disc is a solid gate rather than a mesh screen, as the job here is to block entry entirely, and a solid surface is less likely to be snagged by a mouse's fur.

These are four 10-frame Langstroth inner covers designed for insulation and ventilation, serving as the top layer of the hive box before the telescoping cover is placed. They are not a bottom board but a top component that helps regulate internal temperature and moisture.

Look at the photo to see if the inner cover has a solid surface or a screened section; for the specific job of blocking raccoons at the bottom, this item is irrelevant, but for general hive integrity, check that the wood is kiln-dried to prevent warping that could create gaps where mice can enter from the top.

This is a 10-frame metal queen excluder sold in a two-pack, used to separate the queen bee from the honey super. It is a horizontal grid placed between boxes, not a bottom board, and does not function as an entrance reducer for pest control.

In the listing image, inspect the wire spacing of the excluder; while this is for bee management, a wide gap in any hive component can be a weak point. However, for the specific task of blocking raccoons and mice at the bottom board, this product is not the correct fitment, as it does not seal the hive's lower entrance.

This two-pack includes 10-frame hive box covers with feeding holes, designed for insulation and ventilation. The inclusion of a feeding hole is a specific feature for syrup feeding, which is distinct from a standard entrance reducer used for pest exclusion.

Check the photo for the size and shape of the feeding hole; if it is large enough for a mouse to enter, it becomes a liability. For the job of blocking raccoons at the bottom, this inner cover is not the primary defense, but you must ensure any holes in the top cover are not so large that they compromise the hive's security from above.

These four 4.92-inch diameter stainless steel entrance gates are intended for nuc boxes and smaller hive entrances, providing a rigid barrier against pests. The stainless steel material is chosen for its resistance to corrosion and chewing by small animals.

In the product photo, look for any visible welds or seams on the disc; a poorly welded joint could be a point of failure where a determined raccoon might pry the gate open. Ensure the disc is flat and uniform, as warping in the metal could leave gaps at the edges of the entrance slot.

This Little Giant entrance reducer is designed for 10-frame hives and is made in the USA. It is a wooden or composite piece that slides into the front of the hive box to narrow the entrance, reducing the target area for pests.

Examine the photo for the material composition; if it is wood, check for signs of splintering or softness that a mouse could chew through. The fitment is critical, so look for a tight, flush fit in the image to ensure there are no gaps on the sides where a raccoon could insert a claw.

This BEEXTM queen excluder is a metal grid for 10-frame hives, sold in a two-pack, used to keep the queen out of the honey super. It is a horizontal component placed between boxes, not a bottom board or entrance reducer.

In the listing image, check the wire gauge of the excluder; while this is for bee management, a thin wire could be bent by a heavy animal. However, for the specific job of blocking raccoons and mice at the bottom board, this product is not the correct fitment, as it does not seal the hive's lower entrance.