Gerry Visel wrote. > > Comments from the list on small bees?? > >On Thu, 31 Oct 1996 21:15:21 -0600 Doug Henry <[log in to unmask]> >writes: >> * David Eyre 9 Progress Drive, Unit 2, * * The Beeworks, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 6H1. * * [log in to unmask] 705-326-7171 * " Eventually we removed the old bottom boxes. At that point we had bees from the old box and new bees from the new boxes. Believe it or not, we could see the difference in bee size. Without hesitation, the cells get smaller, and so do the bees. That yard we bought out now produces far more now than it did before!!" This is very interesting. How often are the combs changed. Do you use the drawn comb or the sheets? I have three hives and one, which is but 2 years old, is significantly smaller in size than the others. Although I started them from a mail package, the hive boxes and frames/comb were used. This most likely is a factor. I also discovered enough wax-worms in that hive to feed a small colony of birds for a week! Hopefully, that problem is now rectified. I took all the frames of honey stores out, processed the honey (which was loaded with wax worm larvae/eggs), then placed a full large brood frame from one of the stronger hives along with a full large honey stores frame from the other stronger hive. I have been refeeding their honey (less the waxworms) and sugarwater/syrup to them over the last month. Will re-open soon to remove the apisan and menthol (if any did not dissolve) and check the progress. I have noticed an appreciable increase in the hive's population since this procedure. This was an experiment of desparation that apparently worked! Ed Badgett Fayetteville, NC [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]