Eastern White Cedar is the BETTER choice for a bottom board because it lasts so long. The shingles we put on the roof of our house are good for 75 years, a longevity that might be in excess of my own, even with the beestings to keep me going! Comes fully assembled - screwed, not nailed. Dimensions: 22" x 16-3/8" x 1-7/8". Comes with a wooden entrance reducer. (Ship Wt: 5 lbs.)

Cedar's reputation as an insecticidal: Some of our customers use red cedar chips as bedding for their dogs with the understanding that it repels mites, fleas and ticks. They have asked if a cedar bottom board, besides being practically rot proof, would have a beneficial or a detrimental effect on the bees. I do know that the amount of plicatic acid in the eastern white cedar that we are using in our bottom boards is much less than the amount in western red cedar. Plicatic acid is the main insecticidal compound in Cedar. I have never heard that cedar has any negative effect on the bees, and I have no idea whether the amount of plicatic acid in Eastern white cedar would repel any mites, but it is certainly something on which to do some research.

Good supply: Our local mill has a steady supply of this cedar, so you can equip some of your yard now, and the rest later, if you prefer.