On 26/01/2013 5:39 AM, Charles Harper wrote:
> The short answer is yes. Too much room will not allow the bees to put
> the SHB in propolis jails. SHB also likes the warmth of the cluster.
>
>> I was told that if the bees have too much space they will not chase
>> small hive beetles. Does adding a bottom box give small hive beetles
>> a hiding place?
>
I agree the short answer is yes. Any empty comb gives the beetle
retreat space. For this reason we do not use empty combs (other than in
honey supers of course), rather the number is made up with foundation
in nucs and increase. Propolis jails probably have little effect as
there are limited places in the hive where it is feasible.
Geoff Manning
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