>>...what would be the effect of keeping hives in two or three
stories, encouraging swarming, and harvesting only small amounts of
honey if it is really "in the way".

Would be an interesting experiment in an unpopulated area.  Here in
suburbia, one would have the neighbors up in arms if swarms started
moving into their homes.

There was some talk here recently discrediting SC.  I have a feeling the cell size gradation, clearly seen in feral comb, may be a factor that helps feral bees reduce the varroa effect.  Dennis Murrell has seen it in his untreated TB hives.

Waldemar

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