> What temperature should q-cell incubators be?
The general consensus is 92 degrees F.
Bee keep their brood nest at 95.5 degrees F., according to my
measurements. They regulate within one degree in most weather.
I think that the reason the recommended temp is 92 is that it is
*much* more harmful to overheat a cell by a degree or two, than to
cool it by the same amount. Most man-made devices vary by several
degrees (at least) per cycle of the elements and there may be errors
in the thermostat and themometers used, so the 3 degree difference
gives a safety margin.
The best incubator is still the beehive itself, but used correctly, an
incubator can bee areal asset.
Some humidity in the form of a damp sponge may be a good idea as long
as it is not in contact with the cells.
Regards
Allen
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>