Randy wrote
;
I strongly question whether such foundation has
much to do with our current problems

I use mostly Pierce plastic in wooden frames but some wired wax in wood frames. Bees clearly prefer the wired wax but plastic is easier for me and makes a beautiful frame when fully drawn out. I try to think of my bees preference and at least go to the trouble to cut out communication openings by snipping off the lower corners of the plastic foundation. 

My bees are pure Russian so I am not sure that what I am about to say applies to all bees. That is, that my bees seem to cluster in winter (especially smaller clusters) at the bottom of the frames when they are on plastic, I have often wondered if there is adequate heat transfer through the plastic during winter and have thought this may be why. My concerns about plastic foundation has always been two fold; 1. getting frames fully drawn and 2.heat transfer through the plastic.

In my operation, winter survival is not a problem else I would take these concerns more serious.

Carl Webb

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