[Guest]

I've heard a lot about how sensitive bees are to smell. Is special care required handling the foundation when we're assembling the frames?

Thanks

 

[Michael Bush]

If the mice have been in them and the reek of urine, I'd wash them off first.

I have not seen a problem with smells that humans wouldn't detect. Part of the advatage of wax foudnation is that it smells right because it's beeswax. This covers a lot of smells to the bees.

It's also why plastic works much better if wax coated. The bees don't seem to like bare plastic.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Michael. I appreciate the response.

David

 

[Alex Cantacuzene]

Hi,

As the subject is foundation I would like to ask a question. Mounting new foundation into new frames requires a few steps, including the threading of support wires. These wires should be embedded. I am experimenting doing this with the use of my battery charger with limited success. The main question is how much embedment am I needing? Right now I do get some good embedment in some areas and when I try for the rest I start burning through. Any tips?

 

[Russ]

Alex, When embeding the wires make sure the wires are on the under side of the wax and on a good flat surface and lightly move your hand over the area to be embedded. Dale

 

[Alex Cantacuzene]

Good Morning Dale,

Thanks for the reply. As the weather is not really encouraging I have not tried any more embedding. I will take your advice and try it though and will let you know. Yesterday the sun shone and I finished one of those SBBs. It is installed and now I am just waiting for a friend to bring me the nuc that he promised. It's a bit late here in Kenucky but we will try. There is absolutely no intention to take honey from them this year though. By the way, I used a piece of Lexan that I had here in the shop for the bottom board and while I pulled the cover sheet off I came up with an idea. Occasionally I will wipe the bottom of that plexiglass (Lexan) with a piece of Nylon to generate some more static electricity and if any bugs fall on it the might get stuck and stay. A crazy Idea but it might work.
Thanks, and have a good day, Alex in Kentucky