Foundation question..

[SteveSC]

I have a couple large boxes of Duragilt ( 9 1\8" ) that I'd like to use.  I want to use it in brood frames and super frames.  I'll have to cut down the ones to be used in the supers.

I going to buy some packages bees this spring and  install them in several new hives that I'll putting out.  My plans are to use the Duragilt in the new hives.  

Will the bees take to the Duragilt and draw it out in the brood box and\or supers without any problems or will they reject it since it's not pure bee's wax straight thru..?

I'll have to feed all the new hives until they get started...   Is there a rule of thumb about what ratio sugar to water to feed them to get them drawing comb and how long to feed them...?  

I know some of you don't like anything but pure wax but I got this Duragilt at a good price and I want to use it if I can.  Thanks..

[BEE C]

I started packages out this spring on pierco white and black plastic frames.  I fed 1/2 sugar syrup for the first three weeks and then switched to 2/1 sugar syrup.  My frames came with beeswax lightly coating them.  The bees built up comb pretty rapidly I thought, and the only problem I had was forgeting to keep the frames together close enough, so they started to build some curved comb. (see picture).  Once I corrected that they built only really nice comb.  I think my four pound packages filled out four complete frames per week, but I can't remember.  I fed them till mid june, and they built out three langstroth deeps of comb.  I think it would be better for your harvest to have built out comb, but my harvest was still pretty good for first year package hives, seventy pounds harvested from each.  Good luck with your new hives.

[Robo]

The biggest problem with duragilt is that the plastic core is smooth (no cell pattern).  If you give it to the bees when there is no flow, they tend to chew the wax off the plastic.  Once the smooth plastic is exposed, they will never build comb there.

So just make sure there is a flow on or that you feed them when introducing it.

I also think you might have trouble trying to cut the stuff without destroying it.

[Michael Bush]

>Will the bees take to the Duragilt and draw it out in the brood box and\or supers without any problems or will they reject it since it's not pure bee's wax straight thru..?

I've had good luck with Duragilt and Duracomb up until the bees chew it down to the plastic.  Then it's hopless and has to be replaced.

[Brian D. Bray]

IMO Duraguilt or duracomb is a waste of money.  I prefer to cut medium foundation into starter strips.  1 inch of foundation to start and they build the rest themselves.  You end up with more natural (and smaller) comb that otherwise.

[SteveSC]

Bee C...  I have a case of the Pierco black frames like you used..I'll be using them in the spring.  I hope they work as well as your's did.  People have mixed reviews on them as well as Duragilt.  Maybe it's their application or the time of yr. they try to use the non pur wax foundations.

MB.. The other day I bought all the Duragilt ( 8 1\2" ) foundation this guy had @ $10 per 12 1\2 lb. box.  He had 8 boxes.  I hope the stuff works out for me.  I experimented with cutting it down to fit suppers and it cut easily -  didn't delaminate the wax from the plastic.  

If I start with all Duragilt - 3 lb. packages of bees and feed them from the start with 2:1 sugar until a good flow starts do you think things will go well...?   You said you had good luck with it.  I saw your post on a Beesource forum back in July when everyone was really dogging Duragilt  - you were about  the only one that had anything good to say about it.  Someone must be using it successfully....they're still making it everyday..  It was a deal on the Duragilt and I hate not to use it. Thanks.

[Michael Bush]

I don't have trouble with the bees using it.  Just them tearing it down to the plastic sometimes and then not rebuilding.

I think it will work fine for you, until then, except, of course, it's all 5.4mm and I'd want 4.9mm.

:)