HSC questions again??

[papar]

I have recently read the thread on the HSC product. I purchased 40 deep frames and planned on using them this year. I understand there are concerns about mixing with reg cell. Initially, I planned to use them to start packages for the bottom deep then put regular size for the upper deep. Sounds like that might not work.
Do you all recommend keeping both deeps all super cell?
Do you recommend keeping the whole yard small cell for best IPM?
How do packages respond to this product?

Thank again for your help!

[Velbert]

http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/vlwbee/?action=view&current=000_0059.jpg

http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g307/vlwbee/?action=view&current=000_0057.jpg

When I first got mine started it was the spring of 2007 I would put 1 frame of brood in plastic frames EZ frame from dadants or other non HSC in the center bottom brood with 8 HCS and a feeder full of feed then place on excluder and put on top the rest of there brood and stores. A few I divided using also just 1 frame of brood in non HSC shook in a few bees and left in the original stands place and caught the returning field bees. They excepted it in varying degrees from poor to great.

[Michael Bush]

The problems of "mixing" is when you give them NEW (never been used to store honey or raise brood) HSC in a hive where there are other places for the queen to lay and other places for them to store honey. In other words you need to limit their options UNTIL they use it. Once they use it it's just drawn comb and you can mix it anyway you like. I fed it into established brood nests of wax comb. They hesitated for a few weeks before they were willing to use it but they eventually did and after that it was just comb to them. But I limited the brood nest so they had little other choice.

[Velbert]

It was about 70 degrees today so I checked into some colonies with HSC WOW the frames was verry solid brood you don't fine any better even in wax.

[papar]

I have mixed feeling about this stuff. I'm concerned that I will be losing time during the supposed acceptance period. The product sounds really interesting for getting packages started but what are the draw backs. I know you can put an excluder on top and bottom the keep the queen from absconding. Is it better to get them started first off on this or wait until they've built up a bit on wax or PC? I suppose I have to be a little adventurous, just hate to stress a package more then needed.

Thoughts???

[peggjam]

I wouldn't use it for packages. Put them on some drawn wax combs(if you have it, foundation if you don't) and then after they have a few frames of brood hatched out try it. A package needs to be started right, not messed with:).

[Michael Bush]

The drawback of starting a package on HSC is a delayed start, but then you have small cell bees and instant regression. I'd start them on the HSC with a queen "includer" to keep the queen in until she's laying in it.

[papar]

MB do you think coating the outside of the HSC with a thin layer of bees was would help the acceptance??

thanks

[BULLSEYE BILL]

What I know that works for sure in either HSC or PC is to take some comb honey and mix into a paste and smear on the frame. The bees start licking it up and continue polishing the cells making it ready for the queen or for storage.