Yesterday my apprentice, Sarah, told me that she thought the bees are 

now smaller than they were.  I took a look at the fliers and they 

seemed normal to me, but her eyes are much younger than mine and, this 

year, she has spent more time at the hives than I have.



As we don't use foundation, I suppose that it's possible that the bees 

currently active were reared nearer the centre of the brood comb where 

the cell size is smaller, but it would be good to check.  How does one 

measure bees?  What bits? Can it be done while they're still alive as I 

don't want to kill bees just to satisfy idle curiosity? What dimensions 

of the various bits are considered normal?



Chris

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