From: "huestis" <buzzybee@capital.net>
Date: Thu, 3 May 2001 13:00:30 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Regression Questions

> 1. When I remove the old comb and replace it with new starter strips,
should I freeze these combs even if they contain sealed brood? If so, do I melt these combs, (which contains brood, honey, and pollen) extract the dead brood from the melted wax and begin making new foundation? Is this the proper procedure? <breath> ; )

reply:

Give to weak non-regressed hives (or just other hives). If they are complete
wax foundations you could melt them. If pierrco frames (plastic) sell them
to others who won't regress their bees. At some point you will have to deal
with the large cell frames. I'm selling them as the wax is contaminated.
Honey supers will be rendered for wax foundations. If no one will buy
process and make foundation. Note: DO NOT MIX LARGE CELL AND SMALL CELL. YOU NEED A CLEAN BREAK.

> 2. Should I be concerned about adding an extra hive body if my objective is to regress these bees and obtain 4.9 comb by the end of the season? Does this also include a concern for swarming? It would seem that a swarm might not be a bad thing because the population would be smaller, hence allowing the bees which remain to live comfortably in a single brood chamber.

reply:

You start with two or more story colony. Shake into a single with starter
strips (feed, you will now have one box). Give brood and honey away to weak
colony (or any colony). Let the bees draw out the whole chamber. Get your
handy ruler out and measure all combs. Shake down again if not 4.90mm (full foundation). Keep the transition combs with brood and honey for the next hive and shake them on to them. They won't have to draw the combs as the first colony already did it. Giving the old frames to the next colony (non-regressed). When there is few hives left put combs in freezes and cull them from operation. Put in new foundation in old frames. Don't forget colony(ies) that are drawing 4.9 correctly add next hive body with full sheets of wired foundation (no strips). Get as many frames drawn properly as you can the first year. On year two split the hive (4.9) in spring add new box of 4.9mm foundation. Take non-regressed colony and shake into the second part of that colony and super. Repeat this cycle as necessary. Good Luck.

Remember not all colonies will take to 4.9 foundation. Spend little time on
them. Come back to them when you have transition combs.

Clay