From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 09:27:30 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Russians: Queens, Drones, Swarms

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping

Scott wrote:

> Some good news. My bees have drawn out the 4.9 starter strips to the following
> average dimensions: 4.8 mm horizontal, 5.2 diagonal. Yes, this is not
> totally correct, but it's a good start. Would one average these measurements
> and get 5.0?

Reply:

NO! while the bees are trying to key into smaller foundation with the 4.8
side of the measurements, the mites will key into the 5.2 sizing and the
size of the comb will dictate the royal jelly mixture which will still be
enough to favor the mites for triggering reproduction.

YOu will need another size down to get into the top tolerance 4.9, with a
range of between 4.8 and 4.9. Remember that the foundation will set the top
tolerance at 4.9 making it the large size in the colony then giving a
smaller range available for small and medium sizing of the bees therein.

For requeening (on that subject) you need to let the bees seat into your
area once obtained and not keep buying outside stock. There are many reasons
for this!

Dee