From: "Lewis, Kyle (KYTL)" <kytl@chevron.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 17:16:43 -0600
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Package Bees on 4.9mm Foundation

Experts,
I recently ordered my first colony. Woodenware will arrive soon, and 3 lb
of bees with queen will arrive at the end of April. I ordered 4.9mm cell
size foundation from Dadant. I plan to install the bees as instructed in
"Practical Beekeeping"--but I have questions:

1. Will the workers refuse the 4.9mm foundation? Will they build
foundation to their own liking, or abscond? If so, should I use a starter
strip at the top of each frame, and let them build to their liking?

2. Will the queen refuse to lay in the 4.9mm foundation? Must I raise my
own queens, adapted to 4.9mm?

3. Hypothetical question: If the package workers refuse 4.9, but build
their own at, say, 5.2, can I get the next crop of workers (40 days after
installing) to accept 4.9 foundation? I assume that I will have to separate
the queen from the 5.2 comb somehow.

Thank you for information previously posted. Your suggestions are greatly
appreciated.

Kyle