On Sun, 7 May 1995, Crawfords Electronics wrote:
 
> Even though the queen can't pass (usually) the 1/4" mesh hardware cloth,
> scouts can. Unless the chimney has been cleaned very well, immediately
> after winter, the flew will be dusty with soot. If 1/4" mesh is used,
 
<etc.>
 
6 mesh is six squares to the inch.  It is used for push-in queen release
cages, because no honeybee can get thru it.
 
5 mesh makes a good excluder.  Workers can pass thru, Drones and queens
and mice can't.
 
These are the two main sizes used in beekeeping.  They are both used in
pollen traps.  The former to keep bees out of the pollen tray and the
latter to brush off the pollen baskets.
 
Hardware cloth is a bit of a specialty item, but a search thru the yellow
pages should find someone who knows what you are talking about..
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
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Virtual Art Gallery: http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka
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