Sticky messy mess

[Machonachos]

How do you manage stickiness when conducting inspections. For the last few times I have had to cut off some honey burr comb and some drone comb and as a result my tools/hands/everything gets sticky.

What tricks do you have for cutting off comb without making a mess and having bits of comb scattered all over the apiary to clear up at the end?


Cheers

Andy

 

[Beefriendly]

What tricks do you have for cutting off comb without making a mess

Non whatsoever it's messy.

and having bits of comb scattered all over the apiary to clear up at the end?

Pick up as you go.. Bucket with lid helps.

 

[enrico]

A good sharp hive tool and a container. Back at the shed I have a container with washing soda for dipping or soaking everything in.
E

 

[SS_Smith]

Same as everyone above.

Also being new. Last weekend I extracted my first honey, 1/2 a jar from off the top bars.

I put the sticky wax out for them to strip the honey off and... nothing.

1) Is it normal that they ignore it? I was expecting them to make it first priority.
2) What do you do with your wax that has honey in it? I don't want to waste it but at the same time I don't want a rat problem in my garage.

 

[drex]

Same as everyone above.

Also being new. Last weekend I extracted my first honey, 1/2 a jar from off the top bars.

I put the sticky wax out for them to strip the honey off and... nothing.

1) Is it normal that they ignore it? I was expecting them to make it first priority.
2) What do you do with your wax that has honey in it? I don't want to waste it but at the same time I don't want a rat problem in my garage.

Leaving honey outside the hive will likely incite robbing, once that honey is gone they will go looking for honey in neighbouring hives. When inspecting I always have a plastic box with lid for scraps, which eventually go in my solar wax melter. As above I also have a bucket of soapy+ washing soda or bleach nearby for washing hands and hive tool.
So little honey in the bits I do not bother trying to recover it. Some might put in a warm place in a strainer and let it drain into a container or wash it out and use the washings for mead

 

[Swarm]

If your hands get covered you can give them a quick spray of water to make things easier.

 

[enrico]

Same as everyone above.

Also being new. Last weekend I extracted my first honey, 1/2 a jar from off the top bars.

I put the sticky wax out for them to strip the honey off and... nothing.

1) Is it normal that they ignore it? I was expecting them to make it first priority.
2) What do you do with your wax that has honey in it? I don't want to waste it but at the same time I don't want a rat problem in my garage.

Put t over a crown board with a hole in it (feeder board) and they will clean it. Don't leave it for any old bees to clean it.