> for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to produce cells (and therefore bees) a little larger than they would in nature I use standard fo

> for example we actually use foundation that encourages bees to produce cells (and therefore bees) a little larger than they would in nature I use standard foundation and find it discourages bees from making drones cells. Mites love drones as they incubate longer and so the mites can breed better in the cells. If I don’t put foundation in, they make drone cells. If you cut these out and throw them away, you destroy a lot of mites. I’m a bit squeamish and hate doing this but do cut out some drone cells, as they get utterly infested.