Dee LusbyEd and Dee are commercial beekeepers in AZ. Dee and Ed work side by side in all phases of their operation. In addition to the conventional activities of beekeeping, they mill their own woodenware and wax foundation, select and maintain a stock of slihtly smaller bees highly adapted to their area, and produce their own queens. Their non-chemical 'back to basics' approach to beekeeping leads them to spend much of their spare time in libraries where they search for obscure bits of information which, when assem-bled in logical order, yield insights into old problems such as bee kills due to the use of pesticides, and new problems like parasitic mites. Such has been their pursuit of an understand-ing of the importance of comb cell diameter The Lusbys found that comb cell diameter differs among the various sources of foundation manufactured in the United States and around the world. Following publication of this discovery in 1990, they undertook to resolve the question of natural cell diameter and its impact on colony vigor. Having identified, optimal cell diameter for their geographic area (Southern Arizona), they have nearly completed converting their operation to a 'natural system' incorporating smaller cells. They have widely reported to beekeepers that their use of optimal natural cell diameter has significantly reduced disease and mite infestation in their colonies while simultaneously increasing brood viability and colony productivity. Convinced, a number of beekeepers have embraced the Lusby's manage-ment strategies.- American Bee Journal Note: Ed died Wed, 25th of October 2006 Read More Read Less