I was gifted with six hives from a farmer moving. He's had them for 10 years in his garage and wanted me to have them. The combs have excess honey still on them but they look good otherwise. No mouse or damage. He says his bees never had any disease and it looks like he took good care of these.
What I want to know is.......is there anything special I need to do with them? Or can I simply clean up the outside a bit and put them out with my other hive? I only have one hive right now so was wanting to add on.
One more question. None of these (including my one) hives have screened bottom boards. Is there a way to change that? And should I? Would that be better for our damp conditions here in the Pacific Northwest?
Thanks so much
Keri
i think i'd cut out the old comb and let the bees rebuild. you can add the frames during spring flow and they will build new comb without any problem. i use screened bottom boards, but keep them closed all but the warmest summer months. i do think they help with the moisture we have. you don't have a wet solid bottom board there all winter, although by spring i still have moldy dead bees clogging the screened board.
i also like them for cutouts. the hive has good ventilation for the drive home :-)
if you are happy with the solid boards, i wouldn't spend the money to switch. when you get more hives and want to try them, buy one or two and see what you think.
if the comb is in good shape I would use it. and for a sbb I use them on my bees and I keep them open year round except for the most coldest times and my bees do just fine. and congrats for the new hives :-D
If the wax looks clean, use it. I have used old frames that I knew were clean. The bees did not complain much about the price.