Must one pluck dead bees out of combs????

[tchu]

In my first full April inspection I’ve noticed that one my colonies lost many bees to starvation. So now I have 2 brood combs with dead bees stuck

inside the cells. I took them home abs started plucking the bees out one by one.

However, was this the optimum thing to do? Should I have left the combs in the hives? I think I’d give the bees a hand and help them save energy as they are a weak colony, but what do I know. Besides, someone said that bees can cannibalise when necessary but surely they mean larvae only?

 

[B+.]

In my first full April inspection I’ve noticed that one my colonies lost many bees to starvation. So now I have 2 brood combs with dead bees stuck

inside the cells. I took them home abs started plucking the bees out one by one.

However, was this the optimum thing to do? Should I have left the combs in the hives? I think I’d give the bees a hand and help them save energy as they are a weak colony, but what do I know. Besides, someone said that bees can cannibalise when necessary but surely they mean larvae only?

You didn't need to do it. The bees are quite up to the task of "cleaning house".

 

[madasafish]

Being lazy, I never have.
Never seen any adverse results - combs are re-used by bees after cleaning.

...

 

[PeaBee]

Turn the frame on the side and give the top bar a tap and some will fall out. As others have said bees will clean it out so no need. Though just be confident it was starvation and not disease.