Gearing up for next year with SC

[pahvantpiper]

I'm working toward going commercial and would like to incorporate SC into my operation if it is feasible on a commercial scale (don't know why it wouldn't be). Anyway, I've been following the debate on the other threads about SC and if it is an effective remedy for varroa. Since there is no scientific proof for or against it so far, just lots of anecdotal evidence, here is what I intend to do:

In 3 of my yards with 64 hives each.

Yard #1 - 32 hives on standard sized foundation, 32 hives on 4.9 wax foundation bought from dadant.

Yard #2 - 32 hives on standard sized drawn comb. 32 hives on 4.9 HSS (already purchased and ready to go).

Yard #3 - 32 hives on standard sized foundation, 32 hives on starter strips so they can build their own comb.

All of these hives will be started with packages made by me with a purchased queen (likely minesota hygenic) and bees shaken from my own hives.

I understand that the first year only the HSS bees will be able to regress down to 4.9 size but by the following year I should be able to bring the others down as well. After that I'll still have a few years of not treating to see if this actually works for me. Any suggestions/help with this plan would be greatly appreciated.

[balhanapi]

This is great Pahvantpiper! keep up the good work

And keep us informed so that we all can benefit.

ALL THE BEST!!

[Michael Bush]

Dee Lusby has been doing smaller cells for 15 years or more now with around a 1,000 hives and no treatments whatsoever.

[pahvantpiper]

That's what I hear. I just want to confirm that it will work for me in my situation and environment.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

That is a great plan! I wish you the best of luck, it's going to be a lot of work and we all will be anticipating your reports.

>I just want to confirm that it will work for me in my situation and environment.

It probably will then you will have achieved your goal and will have more honey and bees than you want and then fall off of the radar screen happily going on about your life with your goal accomplished.

Then Mr Scientific will say, "See!, I told you so!"

[Sundance]

Good luck and I second the "it's going
to be a lot of work". Worth it though
IMO.

[pahvantpiper]

Thanx everyone!

Bruce, sounds like you are in a similar position I am in only a year or so farther along. And according to your other post on "shake down" things look good so far - that's great, I wish you much success.

Of the many beekeepers I know in my state only a few try to keep bees without the use of harmful chemicals and none (that I know) use small cell. They use OA and just make up plenty of packages and nucs to replace the hives they know they will lose every year to varroa. They say, "that's the way it is, you can't keep them going for more than two years." I sure hope they're wrong. Time will tell.

[bee whisper]

Wish you the best!Hope it works for you.I agree It will be alot of work,but I belive it will pay off in the long run.Plese keep us informed.