Product Overview
12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board with Entrance Reducer
Build Every Hive on a Strong Foundation
The 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board with Entrance Reducer forms the foundation of your hive, supporting every component above it while providing the primary entrance for your honey bee colony. Manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply, this premium bottom board is protected using our double wax dipping process to improve moisture resistance, extend the service life of the woodenware, and provide dependable performance in the apiary.
Designed for compatibility with 12 Frame Langstroth hive equipment, this bottom board includes an entrance reducer, allowing you to adjust the hive entrance to better match colony size, seasonal conditions, and management practices.
Whether you're building a new hive, replacing worn equipment, or expanding your apiary, a quality bottom board provides the stable foundation every healthy colony depends on.
Quick Answer
A solid bottom board is the foundation of a Langstroth hive. It supports the hive bodies above while providing the colony's primary entrance and landing area. This double wax dipped version includes an entrance reducer and is designed for long-lasting durability and compatibility with 12 frame Langstroth equipment.
What Is a Solid Bottom Board?
The bottom board is the lowest wooden component of the hive. Every hive body, honey super, inner cover, and telescoping lid ultimately rests upon it.
In addition to supporting the hive, the bottom board provides:
- The colony's primary entrance
- A landing platform for returning foragers
- Structural stability for the hive
- A secure base for stacking additional equipment
Because every inspection begins by opening the hive from above, the bottom board often receives less attention than other components. However, it plays an essential role in supporting healthy colonies throughout the year.
Why Choose a Solid Bottom Board?
Solid bottom boards remain one of the most popular choices among beekeepers because of their simple, durable design and year-round versatility.
Benefits include:
- Strong support for complete hive assemblies
- Durable construction with fewer moving parts
- Reliable year-round performance
- Excellent choice for overwintering colonies
- Includes an entrance reducer for seasonal management
- Compatible with standard 12 frame Langstroth equipment
Solid Bottom Board vs. Screened Bottom Board
Both styles are widely used by beekeepers, and each offers advantages depending on management goals.
| Solid Bottom Board | Screened Bottom Board |
|---|---|
| Fully enclosed wooden base | Screened floor promotes additional airflow |
| Commonly used year-round | Popular during warm weather |
| Helps reduce drafts during colder months | Can improve ventilation during hot weather |
| Simple, durable construction | Often paired with removable monitoring boards |
| Excellent general-purpose choice | Frequently used as part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs |
The best choice depends on your climate, management style, and personal preference. Many experienced beekeepers successfully use both styles throughout the year.
Why Double Wax Dipped Woodenware?
Every bottom board is manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply and protected using our premium double wax dipping process.
Double wax dipping helps:
- Improve moisture resistance
- Protect exposed wood
- Extend the service life of the equipment
- Reduce maintenance
- Provide years of dependable performance in the apiary
Because the bottom board sits closest to the ground, it is often exposed to moisture, dew, rain splash, and changing weather conditions. A durable finish helps protect one of the hardest-working components in your hive.
Excellent For
- Building complete 12 frame hives
- Installing package bees
- Installing nucleus colonies
- Swarm captures
- Replacing worn bottom boards
- Apiary expansion
- Hobby, sideline, and commercial beekeepers
What's Included
- One Fully Assembled 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board - measures 22" x 18-5/8" x 2"
- One Entrance Reducer
What This Component Does
The 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board supports the entire hive while providing the colony's main entrance and landing area. It creates a stable foundation for every hive component above it and helps protect the colony from direct ground contact.
The included entrance reducer allows beekeepers to adjust the entrance size to better match colony strength, seasonal conditions, and management needs. A smaller entrance can make it easier for weaker colonies to defend against robbing and pests, while a larger opening supports increased traffic during periods of heavy nectar flow.
Where This Fits in Your Hive
The solid bottom board is the first component installed when building a Langstroth hive and serves as the foundation for the entire colony.
Typical hive configuration (top to bottom):
- Telescoping Hive Lid
- Inner Cover
- Honey Super(s) (when installed)
- Deep Hive Body (Brood Chamber)
- Solid Bottom Board ← This Product
Every other hive component rests directly on the bottom board, making it one of the most important structural components of the hive.
What This Product Is Compatible With
This 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board is designed for use with compatible 12 Frame Langstroth hive equipment, including:
- 12 Frame 9-5/8" Deep Hive Bodies
- 12 Frame 6-5/8" Honey Supers
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Inner Covers
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Hive Lids
- 12 Frame Entrance Reducers
- Complete 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Bee Hives
- Additional 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Hive Components manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply
Using matching 12 frame equipment helps ensure proper alignment, stability, and long-term compatibility throughout the hive.
When You'll Need This Component
A solid bottom board is required for every complete hive and is often one of the first components purchased when establishing a new colony.
You may need this component when:
- Building a new 12 frame hive
- Starting package bees
- Installing a nucleus colony
- Catching a swarm
- Replacing damaged or weathered bottom boards
- Expanding your apiary
- Upgrading to premium double wax dipped woodenware
Because the bottom board supports the entire hive, maintaining it in good condition helps provide long-term stability and dependable colony management.
Why Buy from Lappe's Bee Supply?
Lappe's Bee Supply has been rooted in commercial beekeeping since 1978, providing dependable equipment built by experienced beekeepers for real-world apiary conditions.
Our premium double wax dipped woodenware is manufactured to deliver long-lasting durability, compatibility with standard 12 frame Langstroth equipment, and reliable performance season after season. Every component is designed to work together as part of a complete hive system, helping you build healthy colonies on equipment you can depend on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solid bottom board used for?
A solid bottom board supports the entire hive while providing the colony's primary entrance and landing area.
Is a solid bottom board better than a screened bottom board?
Neither is universally better. Solid bottom boards provide a durable, enclosed foundation and are popular for year-round use, while screened bottom boards offer increased ventilation and are often used as part of integrated pest management programs.
What does the entrance reducer do?
The entrance reducer allows you to adjust the size of the hive entrance. Smaller openings can help weaker colonies defend against robbing and pests, while larger openings provide increased traffic flow for strong colonies.
Does this include the entrance reducer?
Yes. One entrance reducer is included.
Is this compatible with standard 12 frame Langstroth equipment?
Yes. It is designed to work with compatible 12 frame Langstroth hive components.
Why is this bottom board double wax dipped?
Our premium double wax dipping process helps improve moisture resistance and extend the service life of one of the hive's most weather-exposed components.
