10 Frame Double Wax Dipped Wooden Entrance Reducer

Help your colony regulate hive traffic and defend its entrance with the 10 Frame Double Wax Dipped Wooden Entrance Reducer from Lappe's Bee Supply. Designed to fit standard 10 frame Langstroth hives, this durable wooden entrance reducer features two entrance sizes—one for summer and one for winter—allowing you to quickly adjust the hive opening as your colony's needs change throughout the year.

Manufactured from quality fir lumber and professionally double wax dipped, this entrance reducer is built to withstand years of outdoor exposure. The wax penetrates deep into the wood fibers to help protect against moisture, weather, and decay, eliminating the need for painting before use.

Whether you're installing package bees, managing a growing colony, preparing for winter, or reducing robbing pressure during nectar dearths, an entrance reducer is one of the simplest and most valuable accessories you can add to your hive.

Why Beekeepers Use an Entrance Reducer

An entrance reducer helps bees better defend their colony while allowing the beekeeper to adjust the hive entrance based on colony size and seasonal conditions.

Benefits include:

• Fits standard 10 Frame Langstroth hives
• Double wax dipped for long-lasting weather protection
• Reversible design with two entrance sizes
• Small opening for winter and weaker colonies
• Larger opening for spring and summer populations
• Helps reduce robbing pressure
• Assists colonies in defending against pests
• Ready to use with no painting required

Double Wax Dipped for Long-Term Protection

Every entrance reducer is manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply and protected using our premium double wax dipping process.

Each reducer is submerged in boiling wax twice for approximately ten minutes per dip. During this process, moisture is removed from the wood while hot wax penetrates deeply into the wood fibers. Unlike paint, which protects only the surface, the wax becomes part of the wood itself, providing long-lasting protection against moisture, swelling, warping, and weather exposure.

Over time, sunlight and weather may naturally lighten the exterior color. This is simply a cosmetic change—the wax absorbed into the wood continues protecting your equipment for years.

Product Specifications

• Fits standard 10 Frame Langstroth hives
• Overall length: 15-7/16 inches
• Durable fir wood construction
• Double wax dipped
• Two-sided reversible design
• Small winter entrance
• Large summer entrance
• Ready to install
• No painting required

Some bottom boards may require minor trimming for a perfect fit.

How an Entrance Reducer Fits Into Your Hive

The entrance reducer fits into the opening of your bottom board and allows you to control the size of the hive entrance. The larger opening is commonly used during spring and summer when colonies are strong and foragers are bringing in nectar and pollen. The smaller opening is often used for newly installed packages, nucleus colonies, weak hives, robbing prevention, and winter management.

Ideal For

This entrance reducer is an excellent choice for:

• Package bee installations
• Nucleus (nuc) colonies
• Spring colony buildup
• Summer nectar flows
• Fall robbing prevention
• Winter hive management
• Replacing worn entrance reducers
• Complete wax dipped hive systems

Why Buy Wax Dipped Equipment from Lappe's Bee Supply?

Lappe's Bee Supply has been serving beekeepers since 1978 and manufactures premium wax dipped woodenware in East Peru, Iowa.

Our double wax dipping process creates equipment that's ready to use immediately while helping reduce long-term maintenance compared to traditionally painted woodenware. By allowing hot wax to penetrate deep into the wood fibers, our equipment provides exceptional weather resistance and years of dependable performance in the apiary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this fit all standard 10 frame Langstroth hives?

Yes. It is designed for standard 10 Frame Langstroth equipment, although some bottom boards may require minor trimming for a precise fit.

Why does it have two different openings?

One side provides a larger entrance for spring and summer, while the opposite side provides a smaller entrance for winter, weaker colonies, or robbing prevention.

When should I use the small entrance?

The smaller opening is commonly used when installing package bees or nucs, during periods of robbing pressure, and throughout the winter to help colonies defend the hive and conserve heat.

Is this entrance reducer painted?

No. It is professionally double wax dipped, providing long-lasting protection without the need for paint.

Will the wax coating wear off?

The exterior color may naturally fade over time due to sun exposure, but the wax that has penetrated into the wood continues protecting the entrance reducer for years. This fading is cosmetic only.

Can I leave the entrance reducer in place year-round?

Yes. Many beekeepers simply rotate the reducer to the appropriate opening as colony strength and seasonal conditions change, or remove it entirely during heavy nectar flows if maximum traffic is desired.