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----------------- Original message (ID=70016A35) (61 lines) -------------------

Date:         Sun, 7 Aug 2005 18:16:24 -0400
From: Brian Fredericksen <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Brood in extracting comb
To: [log in to unmask]

> But surely framed wire excluders restrict air flow much less ...and
>are acceptable to bees?
>Robin Dartington
>


I agree there are differences. I found the plastic molded excluders to
be the worst as far as bees accepting their presence. I see there are
some plastic stamped versions available now that claim to be
improved. With 100's of colonies in multiple locations I feel I  have
enough data to come to some sound conclusions.  Also I'm not aware
of any beekeepers in the Upper Midwest in a commercial or large
sideline operation who use them.

I've had better luck staying with new world carnolians then italians
when it comes to brood laying in extracting supers. If you put the
supers on too early  before the first major flow the Italians will be
much more likley to go up and lay brood in the supers at least in the
lines I evaluated.

As far as items in wide use in beekeeping and their perceived benefits
goes (especially mite control), one would not have to look too far in the
Bee Journal ads to find some interesting items.  In fact the list is
growing every year. We have small cell foundation, mineral oil foggers,
vinegar evaporators, "secret" essential oils and a host of many other
ingeneous inventions. So I guess I never relied much on what the
other guys are doing and go with my own observations and data and
published scientific literature .

Brian Fredericksen

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