I was reading Pete's article in the Feb 2013 ABJ and noticed mention of
shaking bees off combs when making nucs. That brought to mind the
question of damage to developing brood that is possible from shaking or
banging frames. We would never shake a frame of developing queen cells,
so how is it OK to shake frames of worker brood? We all do it, though.
Has anyone examined this question to establish whether any appreciable
harm is done? I recall having heard mention of a 'quivering shake' many
years ago and and tend to use that method rather than a violent shake or
impact, but must confess to banging top bar ends on wooden doorsteps
from time to time when the bees are clinging stubbornly.
Another matter to consider in making splits is how quickly open brood is
killed if frames are leaned against the hive and the brood is exposed to
direct sun.
I wonder how much harm is caused by these two common practicesand how
much of the deformed wing beekeepers see was caused by their own
handling of frames days or weeks previous.
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