Does Cell Size Matter to Bee Health and Wellness?

I have been doing a lot of research on the use of plastic frames vs letting the bees make their own comb in the brood chambers. The number one draw back of natural comb is that it falls apart easily, especially when you try to spin out the honey.

The entire topic of cell size, foundation less frames, etc. is mostly based on anecdotal evidence and personal experience. The topic doesn’t draw the same attention as other beekeeping topics. I included this blog post as a point of debate.

I feel there are several good reasons for allowing the bees to make their own comb. (foundation less frames, and letting them fill in the shim each fall. )

It is easier to clean to reduce biosecurity hazards. Brood comb absorbs microorganisms, bee waste, pesticides, etc.
Bees make smaller cells which hatch 1 day earlier and may disrupt varroa mites.
Bees can balance the creation of brood and drone.
More larva per square inch.
Hives are warmer with smaller cells. (a theory I am currently testing) It is also possible that there is more R value.
Bees in unnatural comb are up to 150% larger than bees in natural comb.
In theory, bees can manage varroa destructor mites better in natural comb. A parasite will not normally kill its host. In fact, the relationship should be symbiotic in nature. Why is this not true in the VD and Honey Bee relationship?
In August the queens were laying in the shim (top) comb after they stopped laying in the frames.
It is easier to cut queen cells out if you want to harvest a cell.
You can cut out some comb from one frame, and put it in a second frame. In theory, bees will ‘fix’ comb before drawing out new comb.

Typical Questions about Small Cells

Does it take longer for bees to draw out natural comb?

Not in my observation.

Do bees use more wax when making natural comb.

Not enough for me to effectively measure.

Can the Queens lay more larva in natural comb.

I feel this is true because the comb is denser. I see hives with denser cells explode in the spring and do better in the winter.

Are bees raised in smaller cells smaller bees?

“Apis mellifera melliferaraised in small-cell (5.08mm) comb versus standard-cell (5.48mm) comb became 1% smaller” (McMullan & Brown, 2006)
In a recent field trial, Jennifer Berry at the University of Georgia (in prep) found greatervarroa reproduction in small cell when she used beeswax small cell foundation, instead of plastic full-depth combs in this experiment.

When it comes to bees, does bigger mean better?

Do larger bees need more feed?
Do they forage more?
Do they overwinter better? Worse?
Do larger queens mate better? Worse?

Overwintering in Natural Comb – An Experiment

In 2024/2025 our experiment allowed bees in some hives to fill the shim/lid of their hives with comb in curves, not straight lines, and allowing them to fill it any way they want. These bees not only had a 100% survival rate, but in February there were still 7-10 frames of bees, but these bees were not tightly clustered as you will see in the images.

I am excited to see whether the queen lays the natural comb first.

In 2025 we are going to start foundation less brood boxes. I will keep you posted.

NOTE: The pictures in this blog post were taken February 20, 2025. This was 25 days before spring (March 20).

The Natural Arrangement of The Combs in The Beehive

One thing that I noticed was that our swarm traps, and our shims, always have curved comb. This would change the air flow in the hive and will also change how the bees move around in the hive.

Bees build comb from top to bottom. But in a frameless hive they will build in curves, and in 90degree angles. Without understanding why we cannot understand whether there is a purpose.

Feral bees are suppose to have mite resistance. If true is it because:

The bees are smaller
The comb is smaller, there are more bees..
The layout of the hive prevents the ‘easy’ movement of varroa females from one brood area in the hive, to another?
Are feral hives smaller, limiting the brood production?
Wild hives are often condensing hives. There is some theories that varroa destructor cannot tolerate high levels of CO2, but bees can.

NOTE: The picture on the right shows a double nuc with comb – survived. The other side with no comb – dead out.

How much difference between natural and “normal”?

Keep in mind that “normal” foundation is 5.4 mm and natural cell is between 4.6 mm and 5.0 mm. (But as small as 3.9mm from a feral, smaller, bee)

Volume of cells according to Baudoux:

Cell Width    Cell Volume
5.555 mm    301 mm³
5.375 mm    277 mm³
5.210 mm    256 mm³
5.060 mm    237 mm³
4.925 mm    222 mm³
4.805 mm    206 mm³
4.700 mm    192 mm³
From the book ABC XYZ of Bee Culture 1945 edition pg 126

I do not have the time, or the inclination to research the different sizes of cells. From my personal experience I am working on smaller

Studies on Small Cell:

I will try to update this from time to time as the links get broken. Please let me know if they are not working. Here are some studies you may find interesting: (Mouse over to find clickable links)

References (Not all are clickable links)

Berry, J. A., Owens, W. B., & Delaplane, K. S. (2010). Small-cell comb foundation does not impede Varroa mite population growth in honey bee colonies *. Apidologie, 41(1), 40–44.
Coffey, M. F., Breen, J., Brown, M. J. F., & McMullan, J. B. (2010). Brood-cell size has no influence on the population dynamics of Varroa destructor mites in the native western honey bee , Apis mellifera mellifera *. Apidologie, 41(5), 522–530.
Ellis, A. M., Hayes, G. W., & Ellis, J. D. (2009). The efficacy of small cell foundation as a varroa mite (Varroa destructor) control. Experimental and Applied Acarology, (47), 311–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-008-9221-3
Graham, J. M. (Ed.). (1992). The hive and the honey bee. Hamilton, IL: Dadant & Sons.
Greenleaf, S. S., Williams, N. M., Winfree, R., Kremen, C., Greenleaf, S. S., & Williams, N. M. (2007). Bee Foraging Ranges and Their Relationship to Body Size. International Association for Ecology, 153(3), 589–596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007
Grout, R. A. (1935). Influence of Size of Brood Cell upon Size and Variability of the Honeybee. American Association of Economic Entomologists, 345–354.
Levin, M. D., & Haydak., M. H. (1951). Seasonal Variation in Weight and Ovarian Development. Journal of Economic Entomology, 44(1), 54–57.
Martin, S. J., & Kryger, P. (2002). Reproduction of Varroa destructor in South African honey bees : does cell space influence Varroa male survivorship ? Apidologie, 33, 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido
McMullan, J. B., & Brown, M. J. F. (2006). The influence of small-cell brood combs on the morphometry of honeybees ( Apis mellifera )*. Apidologie, 37, 665–672.
Medina, L. M., & Martin, S. J. (1999). A comparative study of Varroa jacobsoni reproduction in worker cells of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) in England and Africanized bees in Yucatan , Mexico, (September 1994), 659–667.
Seeley, T., Griffin, S., Seeley, T., & Griffin, S. (2011). Small-cell comb does not control Varroa mites in colonies of honeybees of European origin Small-cell comb does not control V arroa mites in colonies of honeybees of European origin. Apidologie, (42), 526–532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0054-4
Taylor, M. A., Goodwin, R. M., McBrydie, H. M., & Cox, H. M. (2008). The effect of honey bee worker brood cell size on Varroa destructor infestation and reproduction. Journal of Apicultural Research.
Root, Amos Ives, and E. R Root. The ABC and XYZ of bee culture; a cyclopedia of everything pertaining to the care of the honeybee. Medina, Ohio, A. I. Root Co, 1945. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/23008778/.

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