Re using frames

[Katherine]

What should I do with the frames containing nectar from hive collapse from a queenless colony? Can I put in a swarm trap or should I clean them up and if so how? I am just starting out and don't have other hives to put them into.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Not in a swarm trap....ever
If it's simply nectar wash them out and you have drawn comb for when you need it.
If it's a mix of honey nectar and pollen you can always put it in the freezer

 

[ericbeaumont]

Not in a swarm trap....ever

Agree: a beekeeper in North London found his colony short of food, bought a jar of honey and fed it to them; colony was burned once AFB was discovered, transmitted by the honey.

Bees robbing out your combs may bring disease or take it away; never leave out honey for other bees.

hive collapse

Was it put together badly?

 

[Katherine]

I haven't got a conclusive diagnosis of why the hive collapsed, but I think lack of laying queen coming out of spring. If I'd been more experienced, I would have checked. I know now. My supposed mentor was painfully absent.
Thank you all for your advice. It is very helpful. I shall freeze the mixed frames and clean up the rest. My gut feeling was that it would be dodgy using as they are.

 

[Katherine]

How long is sufficient time in the freezer to sterilise the comb, nectar and honey?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

freezing won't sterilise anything

 

[Katherine]

Is the freezing just for storage then? I thought it killed max moth and perhaps other pests. Sterilising was not the correct term. How would you describe it?

 

[Boston Bees]

Is the freezing just for storage then? I thought it killed max moth and perhaps other pests. Sterilising was not the correct term. How would you describe it?

It kills all stages of wax moth, and other living things, yes.

Not "sterilisation", but can't think of a suitable one-word term at present.

 

[Katherine]

Thank you Boston Bees.

 

[LeaBees]

It kills all stages of wax moth, and other living things, yes.

Not "sterilisation", but can't think of a suitable one-word term at present.

How long can frames be stored in a freezer before reuse or extraction ?

 

[Erichalfbee]

As long as you want

 

[Boston Bees]

How long can frames be stored in a freezer before reuse or extraction ?

Effectively, forever. Just be careful when you take the frames out as frozen wax is very brittle.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

How long can frames be stored in a freezer before reuse or extraction ?

As long as you want

Bit like that pair of teal I've just found whilst rearranging things the other day

 

[Katherine]

My bees built a15 x25cm piece of drone brood comb under the frame feeder. Is there any point fixing this to the bottom of a frame to use again? It is from a queenless colony that is dwindling.

 

[Murox]

My bees built a15 x25cm piece of drone brood comb under the frame feeder. Is there any point fixing this to the bottom of a frame to use again? It is from a queenless colony that is dwindling.

Not really much point.

 

[ericbeaumont]

queenless colony that is dwindling

Chuck them out to join another.

 

[ericbeaumont]

haven't got a conclusive diagnosis of why the hive collapsed,

My point was that your colony failed, not the hive. Common descriptions help us picture the problem.

Best avoid the use of the word collapsed because it suggests a dramatic loss experienced by US beekeepers about 10 years ago, and misinterpreted by the media ever since.

 

[Katherine]

My point was that your colony failed, not the hive. Common descriptions help us picture the problem.

Best avoid the use of the word collapsed because it suggests a dramatic loss experienced by US beekeepers about 10 years ago, and misinterpreted by the media ever since.

Ok understood. I stand corrected.
I'm working up to shaking the bees out. I don't have another colony for them to go to.

 

[Katherine]

Not really much point.

I thought not. Thanks for confirming though.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ok understood. I stand corrected.
I'm working up to shaking the bees out. I don't have another colony for them to go to.

You can’t shake bees out if they do not have another hive to go to