Small Cell Test 2002-2004 Conducted In Norway

[naturebee]

This small cell test appeared in the September 2005 issue of Bee Culture, in the article
"Commercial Beekeeping in Norway"
by Hans-Otto Johnsen

Me, nots responsible for typos. ;>)
But I typed the best I could.

Small Cell Test 2002-2004

The Test:

* 40 colonies were tested in the same apiary.
* 20 with cells 5.5mm measured in the broodnest.
known as "Big cell group".
* 20 with cells 4.9mm measured in the broodnest.
known as "Small cell group".
* All queens in the test apiary were sisters
and mated in the same apiary.
* when small cell colonies were given new foundation,
the large cell colonies where given the same.

Results:

* Throughout the season in 2004 the mite population was significantly lower in the small cell group.

------>
* Big cell group: The natural mite downfall average peaked at 7 mites per day, decreased and then increased again.

* Small cell group: The natural mite downfall average in the small cell group peaked with 2 mites per day and then decreased steadily.

------>
* Large cell group: An alcohol wash in Autumn during broodless period revealed 29% mites per 100 bees, the range was 3-64%.

* Small cell group: An alcohol wash in Autumn during broodless period revealed 14% mites per 100 bees, the range was 3-26%.

------>
* Large cell group: The 3% colony in this group gave a very small crop and was also weaker in strength.

* Small cell group: The 3% colony in in this group gave an average crop.

------>
* Small cell group: Averaged about one box stronger at peak strength in the middle of summer than the large cell group.

------>
* Large cell group: Average honey crop was 79.2 lbs. range 17.6 - 125.4 lbs.

* Small cell group: Average honey crop was 98.1 lbs. range 50.7 - 136.6 lbs. 24% bigger than the large cell group.

----->
* An interesting observation was that the honey from each colony harvested the small cell group was more even, besides the top colony and had few at the bottom. The colonies with top crop were similar in both groups.

----->
* Both groups were affected by chalkbrood. But
anecdotal observation indicated that the large cell group was more affected.

----->
* There was no observation that small cell size had any negative effect on the performance of the bee colony.

Thanks to Prof. Stig Omholt, Dee and Ed Lusby, Dr. Eric Erickson, Staff at Dadant, Bee Culture Magizine, Raymond Cooper, Myron Kroph, Erik Osterlund, Hans-Otto Johnsen and others involved I may have missed.

Best Wishes,
Joe

[BWrangler]

Hi Joe,

How do you get that magazine so fast?

These results mirror what I have seen in my small cell hives. In my hives, the natural mite fall eventually declined and stabilized at an average of a couple mites per week. The worst would drop 4 or 5. The best would drop 1 or 2. But all were in the tolerate mite range :>)

This results have been so consistant that I no longer count mites. Nor run screened bottoms, etc.

Regards
Dennis

[Sundance]

I read it last night and the results sure made me feel good about all the extra labor I've don with small cell.

I bought a 100' roll of 1/8" screen to alter my 4 way pallets to screened bottom board. But as Dennis says, the mite count is so low now I am trying to think of another use for the 1/8" cloth!

[naturebee]

> How do you get that magazine so fast?

The last leg of the delivery is done by air mail,,,
My wife always throws it in my face as soon as it comes. LOL

[naturebee]

Hey Dennis,

Enjoy the stuff you have doccumented in this area! I never did counting, but I am noticing less mites each season and many other similarities.

Where’s that link to the mock up measurements you have done on the Pennsylvania small cell feral colony? It’s very nice to have, but I can’t locate it. Is it on bee source somewhere?

[naturebee]

Sundance, allot of work up front will pay off later.

Ps. use your 1/8 cloth to build a screened in party porch.