Cell Punching

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

Has anyone tried cell punching vs grafting? If so what are you opinions Pro and con other than having holes punched in comb that require rebuild.

[Rob Mountain]

Wil Montgomery Southside Alabama

will be speaking on this subject at the next HAS meeting.

[dcross]

He is a wealth of beekeeping information! Enjoyed several meals with him and his sidekick Lonnie last year!

[wayacoyote]

Can someone discribe the cell-punch method?
Waya

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

Waya -- never done it myself but from what I understand by using a hallow punch slightly larger than worker cell, you punch out a cell containing larvee of proper age that you want to use as queen cell. So you don't need queen cup. You just trim down cell punched to shorten cell depth for bees to rework for queen. and attach to crossbar. Supposedly punch can be made from a suringe with the end cut off and edges sharped that way by pushing plunger down air press will push cell out after punching. At least thats the way I understand it.

[wayacoyote]

Cool,
so how does one attach it to a cross bar?

Waya

[onlygoodSHBisdeadone]

not sure but I'm guessing a drop of melted wax on bar will seat the backside cell in place.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.leedsbeekeepers.org.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=166