Hi All


----- Original Message contained
From: Dave Hamilton <[log in to unmask]>

> 1) replace 2 old combs per hive body each year with new frames and
> foundation

For many years I advised UK beekeepers to replace three brood combs every
season, partly for disease control and partly to satisfy the bees natural
urge to draw comb.

I changed my mind several years ago...due to watching a colony in a church
tower...They replaced their comb at a rate of about 30% per year and so I
now advise 4 fresh foundations per year per colony. (we have 11 combs in our
UK hives).

It seems that we in the UK have changed our comb more frequently than those
in USA for a long period of time. Is this a manifestation of differences in
climate/forage or does this have a bearing on our low incedence of disease?

Best Regards, Dave Cushman
G8MZY
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website...Beekeeping and Bee Breeding
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman