Author Topic: color of plastic foundation (Read 2521 times)

jaime · « **on:** August 08, 2006, 12:12:27 am »

What about color of the plastic foundation? Some is black, some is white. Is one for brood and other for honey? Or is it just a decorator's preference?

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2006, 12:31:32 am »

The claim is that black works better in the brood box.
I can't attest for the claims as I detest plastic.

qa33010 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2006, 01:58:33 am »

I was shown that black helps those of us see the eggs easier. :)

David

I meant to say, that black helps those of us who have a hard time seeing eggs to see them easier on than the white. It worked for me any way.

Dick Allen · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2006, 02:39:53 am »

black plastic foundation will allow you to see eggs a bit easier than white. both work equally well for both brood and honey.

BEE C · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2006, 07:31:41 pm »

I was told that the black is prefered by the queen to lay eggs in as it has better heat retentive properties, and more resembles older comb. It also has the side benefit of preventing Brian from laying eggs in your pierco frames... :lol:
I'm not sold on it yet completely as its my first season but it does seem to be easier to extract in the larger Dadant 20 frame extractors, I had a wooden frame blow out and cause a big mess.

Dick Allen · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:29:18 pm »

>I was told that the black is prefered by the queen to lay eggs in as it has better heat retentive properties, and more resembles older comb.

I donâ€™t personally think there would be any more heat retentive property from black plastic foundation than there would be from white plastic foundation inside the hive. If both were sitting in direct sunlight, that could possibly be said.

As far as resembling old comb, bees prefer old comb because it has had brood raised in it which darkens the comb. How can bees tell the difference between black plastic and white plastic foundation inside a dark hive?

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:47:37 pm »

>>How can bees tell the difference between black plastic and white plastic foundation inside a dark hive?

residual irridescence? At least that's the clue my night vision suggests.

Dick Allen · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2006, 11:56:21 pm »

>residual irridescence?
maybe, but I sure don't know. do bees have 'residual irridescent' vision? I've used both black plastic and white plastic foundation and haven't noticed any preference by bees for either, but like you Brian I prefer wax foundation personally.