I’ve used the Nicot system, I’m no expert but I’ve learned;
Mount Cell Grid Box in the frame. When the time comes place it in the selected hive that you will be taking larva from, No grid on the front and loaded with cell cups.
Let the bees clean the Cell Box and cups they could do this with grid cover in place but its easier access with it removed, I’ve sprayed a little sugar syrup on it. The bees will begin building comb in the openings on each side of Cell Box in the open portion of the frame, about two or three days will work for the cleaning, (if comb is not drawn on each side, No big deal, not important) don’t leave it in too long the bees start to draw comb on the face of Cell box.
Place your Queen inside, carefully attach the front grid. Don’t pinch your queen.
The instructions say something like; Remove the small white plug and place Queen inside and reattach white plug on the face of the grid.
I found it easy enough to place here in with the grid removed, that’s me. You will figure it out.
When you build the Cell Bars and Frame;
Make two Bars.
Don’t place the Brown Cell fixtures to far apart; the bees will build a lot of comb webbing between them.
Attach fourteen or fifteen Brown Cell fixtures evenly spaced onto each bar, small staples or two 5/8” brad nails work for this, and then pour some hot wax around these cell fixtures and onto the bars.
Remember that later you’ll be attaching the yellow Cell Cup Holders onto Brown Cell Fixtures, so not too much wax on them, do a fit test once you get things waxed.
If your kit came with; Ten Brown cell fixtures, Ten Yellow cell cup holders and Ten Roller Cages you need to order twenty more of each, that way you can do more queens at once….if you’re going through all the work!!! You know…… the cost will be about $36.00
Like Michael and beebreeder said; too many cells is never a problem. too few are.
As you go the bees WILL teach you.
Hope this helps.
Jim
