> All molded plastic material outgas for awhile... I would think a web > search would quickly determine the extent of outgas and whether the outgas > is likely to be harmful. Given the extent to which expanded polystyrene > is used for food containers (think coffee cups). I doubt that any outgas > is harmful. But, I really have no idea. I also doubt it is harmful in the toxic sense, but I wonder if the colonies found it disruptive. Once 'broken in' by a year's use, I did not observe the same effect. I am very aware that even putting in drawn combs which have been in storage or from dead-outs into splits is disruptive and that it takes time for the bees to accept them., whereas similar combs from active hives are immediately accepted and occupied. I also wonder about the fresh new wooden frames of wax-coated plastic foundation I stuck into the outer edge of my overwintered hives the other day. They have a strong smell, and I ponder the effect. I imagine that impact to be small on a strong colony, but one of the reasons I place foundation at position ten, in addition to making frame removal easier and providing emergency expansion room, is to have the frames lose their 'new' smell. I'm contemplating getting some more Beemax boxes and am thinking that the best time to put them into service is late spring or summer. I am also thinking that they may need to be laid in the sun for a few days before assembly? *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L