There were a few reports, one with very telling pictures, of the product sagging and collapsing, presumably from the weight of the honey stored in it and normal summertime temps. 

 

 

I bought ten sheets of BeterComb at the HAS meeting last summer and tried them in nucs I was starting.  I had no problem with them collapsing.  I put only one sheet in each five frame nuc.  The bees spoke by drawing out and working the other four frames before touching the BetterComb.  I would only choose to use these synthetic combs in brood areas because I never extract honey or render wax from these combs.  They make great fire starters.

 

I also avoid plastic foundation.  I learned from The Graduate (c. 1967) that plastic is the way of the future, but I have never developed a full appreciation of it.  When I teach nubee classes in my beeyard, I have on a number of occasions installed two packages, one on beeswax and one on plastic.  The beeswax has always won the competition.  The bees make their opinion known.  Perhaps avoiding plastic in my hives is my response to the plastic infestation we are how experiencing in our landfills and oceans.  The bees and I both like real beeswax.  It is nice when we agree.

 

Larry Krengel

 


             ***********************************************
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