I don't think it makes much difference, early this season I Demarree'd a couple of colonies using foundation purchased well before 2010 and which had been sat, unwrapped on a shelf in an outbuilding until the now long departed beekeeper's son gave it to me for disposal, the bees had drawn it all out within a weekAnd if kept wrapped will be fresher to get the bees working on it. ( I know some don't think it makes a difference)
I agree, I make my frames, including foundation, up during the winter and have used very old foundation (donated by the widow of a long departed beek) with no real problems. If I have a blowtorch with me when loading the frames into the hives I sometimes give them a quick blast to bring the oils to the surface.I don't think it makes much difference, early this season I Demarree'd a couple of colonies using foundation purchased well before 2010 and which had been sat, unwrapped on a shelf in an outbuilding until the now long departed beekeeper's son gave it to me for disposal, the bees had drawn it all out within a week
My bees are ok with old foundation too. Even the sheets with odd holes in themI don't think it makes much difference, early this season I Demarree'd a couple of colonies using foundation purchased well before 2010 and which had been sat, unwrapped on a shelf in an outbuilding until the now long departed beekeeper's son gave it to me for disposal, the bees had drawn it all out within a week
I run the blow torch over older wax foundation when I need to use it .I don't think it makes much difference, early this season I Demarree'd a couple of colonies using foundation purchased well before 2010 and which had been sat, unwrapped on a shelf in an outbuilding until the now long departed beekeeper's son gave it to me for disposal, the bees had drawn it all out within a week
My bees are ok with old foundation too. Even the sheets with odd holes in them
It's almost the best thing about beekeeping... that smell.Whatever. Beekeeping. I just like the smell of fresh foundation. JBM is right, main problem is it is very brittle when cold. If it is a cold day in spring when I am putting in foundation I will do it indoors. I have messed up enough sheets in the past
Enter your email address to join: