Green mould

[Outlander]

I have noticed that I am getting green mould between the topside of CB and the kingspan. It appears it is only happening to the two hives with pitched roofs and not the hive with a flat roof. Should I worry about this? I do not want to take these off obviously whilst the weather is as cold as it is, so would prefer to swap CBs when I treat with O/A at the end on the month.

Any ideas what may have caused this mould? I thought it may have been from spilt syrup. Should I be concerned and sort it before the O/A treatment.

 

[masterBK]

Probably due to damp/condensation. We have had a little too much rain lately. Is it a mold or an algae?

 

[richardbees]

It's just caused by damp - and as it's on top of the CB not really a problem.

Out of interest, has your flat roof got little ventilation slots built-in whereas your pitched roofs don't?

 

[Outlander]

Probably due to damp/condensation. We have had a little too much rain lately. Is it a mold or an algae?

I the poor light conditions it looked like mould.

 

[Outlander]

It's just caused by damp - and as it's on top of the CB not really a problem.

Out of interest, has your flat roof got little ventilation slots built-in whereas your pitched roofs don't?

Hi, Richard they all have vents in. I have included a pic of hives with pitched roof and should be able to see the vent. There is one front and back.

Sorry could not get pic to upload

 

[richardbees]

In that case maybe the pitched roofs just aren't as weatherproof as the flat one, or a different type/thickness of wood used for the CBs on those hives? Either way it doesn't matter and certainly no need to worry.

richard

(........and I can't even suggest putting matchsticks under the corners!)

 

[BeeNice]

You could try changing the Kingpin for carpet or something that can let the moisture out and doen't sit so tight on the CB.
Steven

 

[Oandy]

Hi Outlander unless you clean the mould or replace the boards the mould will keep growing as the spores are already there. Go to your local diy store look in the gardening / decorating for mould,mildew treatment. Spray and leave to work for a short while then rinse off. If you are using foam insulation it will have a intrigal vapour barrier it won't let the crown board breathe use a breathable insulation. The pitched roof may be colder so cause more condensation. Regards Andy

 

[Outlander]

The CBs appear to be of good quality but there something not quite right. The other hive with the flat roof has a Thor—CB which does not appear as thick may be 6 mm with battens top and bottom giving bee space both sides and dry as a bone. Also this hive has a container with fondant in and feels very warm to the touch so would have thought if any this would have condensation. Pitched both came through all that wet weather we had earlier in the year, very water tight.

OK so nothing to worry about but will swap them over the end of the month when I treat with O/A.

Hi, BeeNice I went with KS as that seemed to be what most people recommended. Oh well I’ll get it sorted.

 

[masterBK]

If it is a mould it has to be feeding on something.

 

[richardbees]

OK so nothing to worry about but will swap them over the end of the month when I treat with O/A.


That'll do it! ALL your CBs should have beespace battens and I'd be cautious of using any spray now

 

[BobsBees]

Blowlamp Job

You could go for the following. remove roof, and Kingspan, very quickly go over the CB with a blowlamp, but dont scorch surface, then just brush off with a soft brush. job done mould will be gone.
if you can make a small gap between CB and the kingspan.
Please do not use any form of Carpet, so old fashioned, plus the wax and other moths love it.

 

[Outlander]

Thank you all for your replies. I’m going to leave alone till O/A treatment day and put two clean CBs on then. The Kingspan is cut so it fits inside the roof battens so should not be too much of a problem to make a small gap. The hive with the flat roof has fondant on in a Chinese takeaway food container. The top of the container is quite warm, KS has hole cut in to take container. I would have thought that this would have been the problem one. Again thanks to all.

 

[BeeNice]

Please do not use any form of Carpet, so old fashioned, plus the wax and other moths love it.
Love this reply... Moths should not be able to get at it, even if they were flying at this time of year, with a well fitting roof. It's cheap and does the job. Old fashion... fashion police are on the site. Whatever you use, and some don't use anything, it's only on for the winter. Let whoever use whatever (even straw) it's up to them.