From: "huestis" <buzzybee@capital.net>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 13:01:18 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Regression Questions

> What is the rate of survival for the 4.9 cell sized bees over winter?

reply:

Assuming hive are prepared for winter (honey store, mouse protection, ect.).
Bees from smaller cells are able to thermoregulate much better then those on
enlarged cells. Like fine soil or particles can pack much tighter than
course gravel or loose stones. Also many more bees per comb can be raised on
4.9mm foundation than lets say 5.4mm. This gives a greater population going
into winter that can pack tighter to produce more heat for better wintering.
Use the 3 deep method to winter and rarely will one have to worry about
starvation. This method produces those gang buster colonies in spring (not
that you can't with 2 deep but you may have to worry about store come spring
and winter was tough). Why hall all 'dem feeders out if you don't have to
(save labor/money for feeding.

> How do the smaller
> bees handle six weeks of deep freeze in a row?

Reply:

If they make it in the Mountains of northern NY. I can't see why they
cannot survive in Missouri. Even on enlarged cell size they make it. Bees
are fairly tough look what we do to them!

Clay