Survey

[doak]

For those of you who have been keeping Bees for 2 or more years, that have been using starter strips or plastic foundation or any other method that has kept you away from commercial wax foundation. I would like to know how you are fairing against diseases.

We had a beginning Bee keeping meeting at my County Extension Office this week.
The man said that 95% of the unused "new" foundation that was tested during a CCD test was
positive For substance found in colonies that showed signs suspected of dieing of CCD.

The rendering of wax for foundation from comb that has been exposed to chemicals was the culprit.
To change your comb out every 2 to 3 years especially brood comb, and stay away from chemicals.

Guess every one knows, If you are doing "cut comb", make sure and get the crop off as soon as it is ready.  I will be using new comb that my bees make for this.

The part we cannot control is the stuff the bees pick in flight (even if the bees don't visit)
blooms that has been treated, they will bring substance back to the hive from the air.

5 out of 7 of the colonies I lost  in 2006/2007were the ones I had treated.
I think the other 2 may have been normal loses.
I lost 7 out of 12.  Got 3 back this year but so far lost one of those. It was a swarm from the woods.
He also recommends giving  some space between colonies, several "yards". If you have the space.

For the part I guess you all know.

(DO NOT USE ROACH TRAPS/MOTELS FOR THE HIVE BEETLE)
:)doak

[EasternShore]

Doak, please clarify NEW foundation. Are you refering to commercial foundation or comb drawn by useing starter strips?
I'm really curious...about your losses from starter strips.

[bassman1977]

Here is what I use for foundation types:

I Pierco frames to start regressing my bees.
I use wax wired foundation (small cell) in my supers.
I am beginning to use popcicle sticks in my brood chambers, replacing waxed wired small cell foundation

I don't medicate and I try not to feed if I don't have to.

My bees' health is great.  Mite levels are either 1 or 2 during sugar rolls. I live in an area with lots of farming (beef, dairy, hogs, chickens, corn, alfalfa, soy beans, etc).  I haven't come across any CCD-like symptoms (knock on wood).

[doak]

Do not misunderstand my opening statement.
I was not using starter strips.
That is the reason I wanted to know the results you folks are having, who are  using starter strips.
I plan to get away from foundation and use starter strips "all" the way.
"Also",  I have had better luck with the colonies that came from the wild and made their own queen,
than I have had from queens ordered from Suppliers.
So I am going to do there, as I do my cigarette's and ammo, roll my own. :roll:
(new foundation) commercial foundation.
doak

[bassman1977]

"Also",  I have had better luck with the colonies that came from the wild and made their own queen,
than I have had from queens ordered from Suppliers.

I have not been very happy with the quality of queens over the last two years.  They seem to supercede A LOT!

[EasternShore]

Thanks Doak,

I've started to use starter strips and will report in the spring. I still have drawn comb in my deeps from commercial wired wax. My Bees are Very healthy at this point. All are stock taken either from a house (1) or a tree swarm(1) the other hive is a split from the house cutout(3). Just checked it and by FAR it has the best stores and numbers in 2 deeps. The girls in that colony love the starter strips I put in awhile ago and have drawn a few frames and already filled with stores.

All brood is healthy in ALL hives as of today.

[Brian D. Bray]

I use foundationless frames with wooden (popsicle sticks) starter strips. 
I crush and strain (a cider press works wonders).
The results are new comb every year so there is no toxic build ups. 
I've found the bees will draw a foundationless frame faster than foundation during a flow.  The yield might be slightly lower (debatable).
The wax is used in candles, soaps, balms, etc.
The bees are on natural cell (small cell) which results in a lower mite count (My last mite board showed zero mites after 2 days in either hive).
The foundationless frames makes equipment preperation less time consuming. 
With crush and strain I actually spend less time processing than if using an extractor (did a mention a cider press  works wonders?).

So with 8 frame mediums, bottomless, foundationless, using crush & strain, I spend about 1/3 less time at beekeeping prep and harvest.