My bees didn't make it this winter so I'm starting over with a NUC. How should I deal with the frames that are in the hive already? Obviously I'll get rid of the dead. I have some pollen, capped honey and brood. Should I freeze the frames then thaw them out and let the new bees have at 'em?
Freeze the frames of honey to keep them from crystalizing, the empty combs to kill any possible SHB or wax moth infestation, and then thaw them 2-3 days before you want to put them into a hive. Cold frames will chill the bees. don't worry about the dead bees etc still in the combs as the bees will clean those out rather quickly.
All that honey and drawn comb will give you package or nuc as much of a boost as 3-4 weeks of solid feeding so they'll be off to a running start.
Josbees. Ya, I know what you are talking about. I've got 8 colonies dead, filled to the brim with honey, that is going to be 16 deeps with lots of honey to try and figure out what to do with, whah, whah. Have a wonderful and most great day and health. Cindi