Temperature fluctuations, which may affect the live count, must also be avoided. There are many methods of punching cells from nest laminates and blocks, from hand-striippers through mechanized models. The main points to watch for are that cells are not crushed or damaged and that the nesting laminates or blocks are not chipped or broken. A producer who is interested in purchasing puncher and tumbler should check with other producers and discuss the various good and bad aspects of other setups. Seed Grower s Association Winter Seed School.
Tumbling helps to remove empty cells and leaf litter, thus reducing volume.
It also helps to remove chalkbrood cadavers, checkered flower beetle larvae, and other pests. The major problem with most tumblers is the dust and mold spores that fill the air. Face masks or respirators should also be worn for protection. A cell breaker machine is helpful for breaking sequences of cells into single cells, on the premise that emerging leafcutting bees will be able to chew out of their individual cells without passing through a sequence of cells and possibly contacting chalkbrood cadavers. Since leafcutting bees often chew out through the sides of their cells, the cell breaker s usefulness may be more specifically to further reduce volume, by removing more leaf and empty cells and by crumbling pollen balls, other debris and chalkbrood cadavers.