From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 19:52:53 -0800
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com>
Subject: Re: cell size in supers

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping:

Robert wrote below:

> What size foundation do those who use 4.9mm use for supers?
> Is there any reason to replace the comb there with the smaller size?

Reply:

Since there are two natural cell size ranges within a bee colony, it would
be logical to use larger combs for honey supers and that is the original
reason the larger artificial foundations were made.

Now in actuality, the bees we have today, might not work the supers the way
one thinks. When we placed our larger combs back over the smaller cell
foundation once drawn out, the bees were reluctant to go up into them and
stayed down and out, not wanting to use them. Consequently, we have gone
with all 4.9 foundation throughout.

We find now with stabalization after three solid years and going into our
fourth, that our bees are drawing out more wax, bringing in more pollen for
stores around the broodnest, and making just as much honey as before, now we
have our colonies worked back up to 3 and 4 deeps. But it has taken us a
while to achieve this, having to redraw wax combs from scratch after
shakedown, averaging only one box drawn per year here in Arizona.

So all I can say is do what works for you. If your bees will accept your
larger combs for honey storage use them. If they won't, then you will have
to adjust for it like we did.

Sincerely,

Dee A. Lusby
Tucson, Arizona
USA