rotting bee hive

[the good life]

Hi

We've recently moved into a property which already has an active bee hive. We've inspected it and the existing frames are filled up with honey, however they are rotten. Do we need to put a new bee hive in it's place and if so how? Or can we just add new supers and frames and possibly a new brood box later on if needed?

Thanks

 

[beeboybee]

where in wales are you?

 

[victor meldrew]

Hi

We've recently moved into a property which already has an active bee hive. We've inspected it and the existing frames are filled up with honey, however they are rotten. Do we need to put a new bee hive in it's place and if so how? Or can we just add new supers and frames and possibly a new brood box later on if needed?

Thanks

May I suggest that you place a brood box filled with frames of foundation on top of original brood box less Queen excluder ! The bees should draw out the foundation and the Queen commence laying up there. When this happens place a queen excluder between the two boxes(making sure the Queen is in the top box) thus allowing all the brood in the bottom box to hatch .
When hatched remove and get rid of the old box and frames .(A floor change at this time would be in order)

John Wilkinson

 

[VEG]

Anywhere near me?

 

[the good life]

May I suggest that you place a brood box filled with frames of foundation on top of original brood box less Queen excluder ! The bees should draw out the foundation and the Queen commence laying up there. When this happens place a queen excluder between the two boxes(making sure the Queen is in the top box) thus allowing all the brood in the bottom box to hatch .
When hatched remove and get rid of the old box and frames .(A floor change at this time would be in order)

John Wilkinson

Hi John

Thanks for the advice, it sounds like a good way forward. We will give it a go and let you know how we get on.

Rob and Trace

 

[the good life]

Anywhere near me?

Carmarthenshire

Cheers

 

[the good life]

where in wales are you?

South West Wales

 

[VEG]

I would do as victor suggested its called a bailey frame change.

 

[MuswellMetro]

all the brood in the lower box should have emerged by 3 weeks after the queen goes up stairs


your major problem is if it still has a queen excluder ( metal wire or slotted steel) between the honey boxes and the brood box

remember brood and super boxes are not all the same size, so measure it to find which box you have

if it is 460x460mms quare x225m ( or 150mm)

AND welcome to the forum, ask any questions you need,the forum seems to specialise in distant learning