How to clean or should I burn

[coconut2018]

I have a brood box and super that has been left for 3 years with honey in it. Honey fermented , then was raided by wasps this year. All cells are now empty however the inside of the box has molded along with the wax.

Should I try and clean it or is it gone past the cleaning stage and just burn it all. I did catch a swarm in it this season so thinking of keeping but could it cause any problems with my healthy bees next season.

 

[For want of a better word]

Burn it

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Remove the frames, scrape out all the crud and burn. Clean the insides and outsides of the boxes using a blowtorch.

 

[Ian123]

Remove the frames, scrape out all the crud and burn. Clean the insides and outsides of the boxes using a blowtorch.

As above if box is sound it’s good, even if there’s a odd hole or soft patch in timber fill with 2 pack filler and at worst use as bait hive no reason to burn at all. I would even chuck the wax in a melter if you have 1

 

[will]

Don’t forget if torching remove runners as little cretins get under them and stay till spring

 

[ShinySideUp]

I'm with Cheers on this one as there will be fungal spores and any number of nasties in it.

 

[Ian123]

Ahh yes a bit of mould that great bee killer and notifiable disease

 

[Millet]

Ahh yes a bit of mould that great bee killer and notifiable disease

To my knowledge i can not think of anything that would survive the blow torch treatment...

 

[Ian123]

Correct !!!!

 

[coconut2018]

Remove the frames, scrape out all the crud and burn. Clean the insides and outsides of the boxes using a blowtorch.

Burn as in don't use again or burn with torch the frames and inside to burn again.

 

[For want of a better word]

Burn as in don't use again or burn with torch the frames and inside to burn again.

Depends if you bought it new and know why bees did not survive in it ?
If you are going to torch it you need to use one of these + a propane bottle

eBay item number:
183474652483
Not a small camping gaz soldering iron!

Burn and scrape the whole of the inside, get all the propolis off and get into all the corners.... remove the metal or (ugh) plastic runners and replace with new
BeeBase has a link showing beekeepers how to clean used hives.

Yeghes da

 

[Murox]

Depends if you bought it new and know why bees did not survive in it ?
If you are going to torch it you need to use one of these + a propane bottle

eBay item number:
183474652483
Not a small camping gaz soldering iron!

Burn and scrape the whole of the inside, get all the propolis off and get into all the corners.... remove the metal or (ugh) plastic runners and replace with new
BeeBase has a link showing beekeepers how to clean used hives.

Yeghes da

Just balance the time and effort and some costs against the price of new equipment to replace it.

 

[Eyeman]

I'm with Cheers on this one as there will be fungal spores and any number of nasties in it.

Fungii are set to become the latest weapon against varroa.

 

[coconut2018]

 

[coconut2018]

Depends if you bought it new and know why bees did not survive in it ?
If you are going to torch it you need to use one of these + a propane bottle

eBay item number:
183474652483
Not a small camping gaz soldering iron!

Burn and scrape the whole of the inside, get all the propolis off and get into all the corners.... remove the metal or (ugh) plastic runners and replace with new
BeeBase has a link showing beekeepers how to clean used hives.

Yeghes da

The bees swarmed and then the rest robbed by wasps then died out. I was supposed to remove the honey then store the BB and supers in the shed but just never gotten around to it. Bad beekeeping i know but its what it is. Wont happen again.

 

[coconut2018]

Just balance the time and effort and some costs against the price of new equipment to replace it.

Someone has said it can be used to catch more swarms next season. Bees love old hives with dirty frames for some reason.

 

[oliver90owner]

Burn as in don't use again or burn with torch the frames and inside to burn again.

Two separate sentences with two separate subjects, is the way I read it (and expected to read it).

 

[coconut2018]

Two separate sentences with two separate subjects, is the way I read it (and expected to read it).

HAaha. Should i burn it all, or just torch the inside and reuse the hive and frames after torching.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

HAaha. Should i burn it all, or just torch the inside and reuse the hive and frames after torching.

Torch the inside of the boxes, with the frames you have a choice:
cut out/recycle the wax, boil the frames and reuse
Or
Chuck the lot on the bonfire

 

[Finman]

.
Not much to save in those frames. I would them to dumping place.

I had same kind of combs this summer.
I wondered does the mould poisons move into the wax and spoil the wax.

Even handling that material is not healthy to yourself and to your lungs..

.