Hello All,
Peter said:
I attended one of Tom Seeley's presentations on this subject.

I also attended a Seeley presentation on the subject at the joint meeting of
the KHPA & MSBA in Overland Park, Kansas.

Tom expressed concern that dividing a brood nest with many sheets of plastic
*might* not be the ideal brood nest  situation in winter.

His concern was based on the winter cluster and possibly other unknown
things.
I use mostly plastic foundation but can see how taking a winter brood nest
and dividing the nest by plastic sheets ( center of each comb) might have an
effect on wintering. Once the cluster is reduced to not covering the tops of
frames then each frame is separate from the next. I have seen comb in which
the bees have actually chewed through the center to get stored from the
other side of the comb. I would think heat transfer through wax would be
better than a thick piece of plastic.

I also can see that maybe a cluster can maintain a better winter temp on wax
than on plastic.

It is my opinion though that a strong hive has little trouble in winter on
plastic but wonder about how plastic foundation comb effects the small
swarm.

Plastic foundation in wood frame is still the most popular frame for most
commercial beekeepers. Despite what the sellers of plastic frames say they
are STILL breaking. Then they are junk. I get plastic frames in buy outs but
prefer wooden frames myself.

Bob


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