Dear Friends,
I have a hive that went queenless two months ago and then became infested with small hive beetle and a marauding cockroach. I'm okay with just letting it pass away, but what do I do with the honey? I feel reluctant to give it to my good hives as it may have disease. I feel reluctant to eat it for the same reason. I'm using frames with platicell coated with wax. Do I just dump all of the foundation in a garbage can and after washing down the frames put on new foundation, of do I (in the words of M. Bush) "Let the bees clean it up"?
I realize there might not be a right answer to this and only opinions, but those are better than what I have now which is inexperience uncertainty!
Thanks,
Bruce
Put it out for the bees to clean. If they don't go to it the first couple days, destroy it. They know best.
What do you think the hive was infected with? Anything could cause you to loose the queen. I would reuse everything if it looks ok.
I don't think it was an overwhelming infeciton that got the queen. I think something happened to here and the hive started to dwindle allowing the SHB and roach to come in.
I will do what you guys say and give the strong hive a day or two to decide if they want those supers. Hate to waste them.
Thanks guys,
Bruce
Most bee diseases are harmless to humans. Stonebrood is one disease with some potential to affect humans, there is mummification in the hive, and the spores could possibly cause infection. Any one know of other bee diseases that also infect humans??