Plastic Rotating Entrance Disc 6.5cm - 4-Position Gate

One Screw, Four Entrance Settings

A nuc box or swarm trap with a round entrance hole needs some way to control that hole. Wide open for a strong colony on a good flow, narrowed down when a small colony is getting robbed, shut completely when you're moving the box in the car at dawn. Stuffing grass in the hole works until it doesn't, and a bit of tape gets messy fast.

This is a 6.5cm diameter plastic rotating entrance disc that fixes over the hole with a single screw or nail through the centre. Turn it and you get four positions: fully open, a reduced slot, a ventilated position that lets air through but no bees, and fully closed. Most people buy a handful and fit them to every nuc and bait box they own.

How the Four Positions Get Used

Fully open is for normal running, when the colony is strong enough to guard a full entrance. The reduced slot is the one you'll use most in autumn and winter, or any time a small colony is being hassled by robbers or wasps, since a narrow gap is far easier for a few guard bees to hold. The ventilated position is for transport and for locking a freshly caught swarm in for a day so it settles, since the bees stay in but the box doesn't overheat. Fully closed is for short periods only, such as a treatment that calls for a sealed hive. Leave a populated box fully closed on a hot Australian day and you'll cook it, so use the vent position instead whenever bees are inside.

What It Is and Is Not For

This disc is sized for the round entrance holes found on nuc boxes, swarm traps, mating nucs and some polystyrene hives. It's not an entrance reducer for a full-width Langstroth slot entrance, for that you want the plastic entrance reducer instead. The plastic is light, won't rust, and rotates easily with a thumb, though if you want something heavier for a box that lives outdoors for years, the 6.8cm stainless steel version of this disc is the upgrade.

Fitting It

Drill or use an existing hole a little smaller than the disc, line the disc up so the open position matches the hole, and drive a single screw through the centre. Don't overtighten it or the disc won't turn. A washer under the screw head helps it spin freely. That's the whole job.

Specifications

• Diameter: 6.5cm
• Material: Plastic, rust-free and lightweight
• Positions: Fully open, reduced slot, ventilated, fully closed
• Mounting: Single central screw or nail, not included
• Suits: Nuc boxes, swarm traps, mating nucs and any box with a round entrance hole

What are the four positions on this entrance disc?

Fully open, a reduced slot, a ventilated position that allows air but not bees, and fully closed for short periods.

What size entrance holes does this disc fit?

It's sized for 6.5cm round entrance holes found on nuc boxes, swarm traps, mating nucs, and some polystyrene hives.

Can I use this on a full Langstroth hive entrance?

No, this disc suits round entrance holes only. A full-width Langstroth slot entrance needs the plastic entrance reducer instead.

How do I fit the disc to my box?

Drill or use an existing hole slightly smaller than the disc, line up the open position with the hole, and drive a single screw through the centre.

Can I leave the disc fully closed with bees inside?

Only for short periods. On a hot day a fully closed box can overheat, so use the ventilated position instead whenever bees are inside.

When should I use the reduced slot setting?

Most often in autumn and winter, or whenever a small colony is being hassled by robbers or wasps, since a narrow gap is easier to defend.

Is this disc suitable for transporting bees?

Yes, the ventilated position is designed for transport and for settling a freshly caught swarm, keeping bees in without overheating the box.

Does the screw come included?

No, mounting is done with a single central screw or nail, which is not included with the disc.

Is there a more durable version of this disc available?

Yes, a 6.8cm stainless steel version is available as an upgrade for boxes that live outdoors long-term.

Will the disc rust over time?

No, it's made from lightweight plastic that won't rust and rotates easily with a thumb.