Abstract :
The studies were conducted for two years during 1996–1997 and 1997–1998 to evaluate the impact of different waste materials wheat bhusa (chopped wheat straw), paddy straw, sawdust and thermocole sheet (a type of polystyrene board) as inner packing, and in combination with polythene sheets as outer packing, on the brood rearing activity of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. The increase in brood area showed that thermocole alone as well as in combination with polythene sheets was superior to all other treatments; followed by paddy straw, wheat bhusa and saw dust, respectively. Considering the economic feasibility and easy availability, the paddy straw packing is recommended for outdoor wintering of honeybee colonies.
