Used frames from dead colony

Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum

Help Support Beekeeping & Apiculture Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Nbw

New Bee
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
Messages
63
Reaction score
7
Location
Essex
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
1
Hi all

I have some frames from a colony which died due to suspected starvation over winter.

I took the frames, some with stores and pollen and chucked them in the freezer. Some had slight mould of a few corners. Maybe a few cells


Do people suggest that I remove the drawn comb and use new wax to build the frames again or can I re-use them as is?

Attached are a few photos. Some of the cells had dead bees which I have e removed.

Thanks
Nick.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20240429_193021030.jpg
    PXL_20240429_193021030.jpg
    2.6 MB
  • PXL_20240429_193018414.jpg
    PXL_20240429_193018414.jpg
    3 MB
  • PXL_20240429_192928636.jpg
    PXL_20240429_192928636.jpg
    3 MB
  • PXL_20240429_192753489.jpg
    PXL_20240429_192753489.jpg
    2.7 MB
  • PXL_20240429_192935143.jpg
    PXL_20240429_192935143.jpg
    2.8 MB
Hi all

I have some frames from a colony which died due to suspected starvation over winter.

I took the frames, some with stores and pollen and chucked them in the freezer. Some had slight mould of a few corners. Maybe a few cells


Do people suggest that I remove the drawn comb and use new wax to build the frames again or can I re-use them as is?

Attached are a few photos. Some of the cells had dead bees which I have e removed.

Thanks
Nick.
Drawn comb is a valuable asset - unless you suspect disease that could be retained in the comb then I would use it - saves the bees a lot of work,
 
Do people suggest that I remove the drawn comb and use new wax to build the frames again or can I reuse them
Two questions here. Yes they can be reused but as for suggesting that's what you do.... I'd be more inclined to suggest you cull the combs and invigorate the bees by getting them drawing new comb but of course this is only a suggestion.
 
Drawn comb is a valuable asset - unless you suspect disease that could be retained in the comb then I would use it - saves the bees a lot of work,
There are adverts frequently on FB groups and Marketplace selling drawn comb. Buyers beware! Madness!
 
There are adverts frequently on FB groups and Marketplace selling drawn comb. Buyers beware! Madness!
I would never use comb from someone else's apiary, my frames and comb I know the provenance of - although there is not a lot you can do about taking over or buying a colony.
 
Drawn combs from ones own colonies are fine , as long as one knows for sure disease wasn't the colonies down fall. Varroa / virus die outs or starvation issues then it is safe to reuse after sterilising combs.
Using someone else's combs is a no no, unless it is a compete colony purchase in which case one would quaratine to assess them.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top