D3486: Evaluating management strategies to promote comb production during spring establishment of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.)

Beeswax is secreted by honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers which they assemble together to form sections of cells called comb that make up the nest structures where offspring are reared and food is stored. Research has shown that pesticide residues and diseases may accumulate in both wax combs and colony food stores which negatively impact bee health. As a result, beekeepers often remove and replace a percentage of combs to minimize contamination in hive products. However, because comb production is energetically costly for bees and is produced at the expense of honey, beekeepers are sometimes resistant to culling old combs from their operations. Further, literature and management recommendations are unclear on which combs to cull and how beekeepers can promote comb production to replace culled combs. This project assessed the role wax and comb arrangement play in promoting new comb production. New packages of bees were placed into hive boxes with standard Langstroth frames imprinted with hexagons which new wax is deposited on and comb cells are built from by worker bees. Colonies were provided either drawn, pre waxed, unwaxed, or a mixture of frames and then evaluated for which method better stimulated comb production. Within each treatment, comb production, brood and adult populations, and food stores were measured over 6 weeks. Results show there are differences in comb production and colony growth across treatment methods indicating management plays a significant role in maintaining the health and productivity of honey bee colonies.