re foundation.
 
With due respect to the rights of plastic foundation  I make the following
observation.
Lasts year I used a combination of prodoucts for evaluation and thus had not
hives that were 100 one product. I used (a) a all wax foundation with support
wire, (b)  plastic foundation with a coating of bees wax. and (c)some comlete
frames and foundation of plastsic coated with  beewax.
 
Last year both  (a) and (b) were well accepted and both brood and 6-5.8 inch
frames came through the winter well. product(c) was not well accepted and it
appears that
they bees simply moved most sof the wax elsewhere and made little or no drawn
cells.
 
This spring I noted that the wax was gone from one side or large areas of (b)
frames and was not replaced and in some cases one whole side would be lacking
wax while the opposite side was in good condition and in use. I used one
super with product (c)
and it was totally ignored.
 
Now we have the product evaluation. How about product support. Last summer I
called the manufacturer of product (c) They would not take the product back
even for review. Called them again to ask what would cause the bees to reject
a foundation,
how to correct the situation. . After three calls I got the message ,relayed
from NZ,
"recoat "them with melted cappings.  Yes I had thought of that but  my meager
little three hives do not product enough capping to do that this fall. I
suspect there is some phermome in the product that the bees dislike. Can not
prove it. Now with respect to the problem with product (b) I got no useful
information and denial that such a thing could happen. I know that I am not
alone,have seen similar rejection of areas of (b) at local bee meetings, and
total rejection in (c).
 
We do know that some  beekeepers are very happy with (b) and (c) . So for
some the plastsic content is not a problem. If between the user and the
manufacturer the problem can be resolved, then the industry will benefit. The
firsdt thing to determine is in what areas have these products been
successful and in what areas have they not been successful. If there is no
area picture, is it the type of bee, could it be contamination of the
surface.
 
That there is a problem there is not doubt. The manufacturers must set up a
program to determine the extent of the problem if they are to stay in
business. The  beekeepers need the simplicity of the type of product ,and the
theretical longevity thereof.
.