Did you know there are three main top boards (TB) and numerous other top boards that beekeepers use? You would think that a top board is a top board, but it is not.

The first is the standard Telescoping TB. It is used in conjunction with an inner cover. The reason is, if you used the TB without an inner cover, the bees would use propolus to glue it to the top of the hive. The bees don’t like wind to be blowing and whistling through their hive (Hive = house). The bees glue most openings closed if the openings are 1/4″ or less. If the openings are 3/8″ or more then they will use it as an entryway. If you use an inner cover then the bees will glue that down and not worry about the TB.

The inner cover has a raised band of flat wood about 3/8” around the outside edge so in the Summer, it will be on the bottom side so the board will sit high on the hive. In the Winter, it is flipped over so there would be a dead air space in the winter for added insulation. It usually has an oval hole in the center to accomidate a bee escape and would aid in moving hot moist air out in the atmosphere.

Second type of TB is the migretory board. It has cleats on both ends of the board so when you are moving the colony of bees, it will not slide off the hive. It makes for a tight fit when you place 2 or more hives side by side.

The third type of TB is a pollinating top. It has a cleat on the underside of the front end and a cleat on the topside of the rear end. This allows the beekeeper to flip it upside down and still be the same. That way when the bees propolize the bottom side of the top board, you could flip it and it would be rain proofed. Probably not the correct answer, but an explanation non-the-less.

Then you can just put a piece of plywood on the top of the hive or a piece of rubber or plastic to do the same job. Some beekeepers use a split top, hinged with cloth or rubber innertube so they can work one side of the hive without exposing all of the top at the same time.