Hello  All,
As Mike says downsizing is not easy. Also those with downsized bees only
report the things they report about their bees AFTER the bees are fully
established on small cell. I also caution that many only report those things
in the second year.

The new Betterbee catalog gives this method for one step downsizing.
 1. shake package on box small cell foundation.
2.after a few generations have emerged remove the outside two frames .
3. split the brood nest and insert two undrawn small cell into the CENTER of
the brood nest.
4. repeat until you have got a fully drawn box of small cell.

I can see a few possible problems with the above but if done at the right
time for your area it should work fairly well in my opinion.

70F for 24 hours a day minimum temp plus nectar coming in or feeding of
light syrup. Both good and poor results have been reported with the above
method. Especially with bees which had been on 5.4 mm. foundation before.
5.4mm to 4.9mm is a big step but has been done.

Also the Florida beekeeper told me he is going down in two steps following
Dee Lusby's method to the detail. Not using the above method.

bob


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