Cleaning up old frames

[Mamahilz]

If I clean up my old frames do I need to dismantle them to fit new wired foundation? Are there any tips on how best to do this?
I have some supers with frames of comb which are in good nick but have some honey traces (crystallised). They smell a bit (?fermented) can I re use them this season or will it be likely to cause a problem for my bees

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Yes, you do.

Take out the brace strip.
Remove one of the bottom bars.
Ensure all the crud is removed, especially from the grooves in the side bars.
Fit new foundation.
Replace brace strip.
Replace bottom bar.

And - yes - you can reuse reasonably good frames, even if they do have a bit of fermented honey still in. The bees will sort it out, as they do with a bit of mould.
In fact, bees just love 'wet' supers (extracted, but not put back on the hive to be cleaned up by the bees) when a flow is on. They use it much better

Dusty

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The only bit you need to remove is the wedge pinned with three pins to the top bar - make sure you scrape the channels in the side bars clean then slide the new foundation sheets in and re-fix the wedge.
Drawn comb for supers is one of the most valuable commodities in the apiary - just put them back on when they need the space - the bees will clean them up for you.
I always store mine 'wet' after extraction, I stack them up on a blank sheet of plywood 18" square sat on a couple of ratchet straps situated crosswise, finish the top of the stack with another blank board and cinch the whole lot up tight with the straps - either put them in the shed Nice cold draughty one ) or just leave them stacked outside kept off the floor with a couple of bricks and covered with a spare hive roof. I'm lucky I have my old dog kennels with a covered run so all my supers get stored in there - exposed enough so that the frost gets any wax moth but sheltered from the rain

 

[snelgrove]

The only bit you need to remove is the wedge pinned with three pins to the top bar - make sure you scrape the channels in the side bars clean then slide the new foundation sheets in and re-fix the wedge.
Drawn comb for supers is one of the most valuable commodities in the apiary - just put them back on when they need the space - the bees will clean them up for you.
I always store mine 'wet' after extraction, I stack them up on a blank sheet of plywood 18" square sat on a couple of ratchet straps situated crosswise, finish the top of the stack with another blank board and cinch the whole lot up tight with the straps - either put them in the shed Nice cold draughty one ) or just leave them stacked outside kept off the floor with a couple of bricks and covered with a spare hive roof. I'm lucky I have my old dog kennels with a covered run so all my supers get stored in there - exposed enough so that the frost gets any wax moth but sheltered from the rain

Sound advice

 

[Poly Hive]

Yes remove one bottom bar then use your hive tool to remove the worst of the crap. Forget the grooves, just trim a quarter inch off the sheet, put the offcut aside for candles and put in the sheet, tap in the wedge ensuring the nails catc h the loops of wire, then replace the bottom bar. Job done.

KISS

PH

 

[Tom Bick]

If I clean up my old frames do I need to dismantle them to fit new wired foundation? Are there any tips on how best to do this?
I have some supers with frames of comb which are in good nick but have some honey traces (crystallised). They smell a bit (?fermented) can I re use them this season or will it be likely to cause a problem for my bees

The bees will clean them up fine. If you are worried about some areas then scrape the comb back to the mid rib, you will find the bees only use about half of the foundation given to them,and then put back in the hive.

It can damage the comb but its amazing what a light soaking can do or a few mins under a light hose pipe but best done just before placing back on the hive.

you lot with foundation you do like making hard work for yourselves

 

[Erichalfbee]

you lot with foundation you do like making hard work for yourselves

How's that going now, Tom?
I'm trying all my *** and swarms on foundation-free, well half the box, as I feel I should alternate the starter strips with foundation to keep the bees drawing straight.
A new year and more challenges.....roll on Spring

 

[Tom Bick]

How's that going now, Tom?
I'm trying all my *** and swarms on foundation-free, well half the box, as I feel I should alternate the starter strips with foundation to keep the bees drawing straight.
A new year and more challenges.....roll on Spring

It's going great.
Alternating frames should be fine or one drawn frame central in the box will do. A good 20mm starter strip keeps the combs straight. Get a good nectar flow and they will surprise you how fast they can build comb and almost white wax. The way they chain themselves together building comb is fascinating. If you get a comb going slightly out of shape just tell the bees to stop doing that and push the comb back into shape then rotate the frame or move it against a flat comb. The drone brood may be the biggest thing to get used to but the relationship of bees and drones is funny at times. Have fun.

 

[Sadders]

I usually run the frames over with a blowtorch before putting in the new foundation.

 

[Arfermo]

I usually run the frames over with a blowtorch before putting in the new foundation.

Nor really necessary - bit OTT in fact. Assumes there no signs of diseases of course!!

 

[REDWOOD]

If you have nailed the wedge through the loops of the foundation wire a sharp tug with a pair of pliers on the bottom loops and the wedge will release without having to prise it apart