Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: jaseemtp on December 17, 2011, 07:06:59 PM

Title: Storing brood comb
Post by: jaseemtp on December 17, 2011, 07:06:59 PM
Hey y'all since I have had a few dead outs I was wondering how long should I freeze the comb before storing it to ensure killing off the wax moth eggs that may be present.
thanks
Jason
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: hardwood on December 17, 2011, 07:26:27 PM
24 hrs.

Scott
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: kingbee on December 17, 2011, 08:08:37 PM
Quote from: jaseemtp on December 17, 2011, 07:06:59 PM...how long should I freeze ...comb ...to ensure killing off the wax moth eggs..

Remember, depending on how cold it gets where you are and how long it stays cold, you may get a re-infestation of wax moths.  Study all four methods of wax moth control and have a fall back strategy mapped out before you need one.
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: jaseemtp on December 17, 2011, 08:36:19 PM
We get 2 months of "cold" but probaly only 2 - 3 weeks of actual cold weather where the bees wouldnt fly. It is not unusual for it to be in the 70s on Christmas day for us.  I was planning on freezing the comb for the 24 hours Scott suggested and then putting them in an air tight container of sorts and go from there. 
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: FRAMEshift on December 17, 2011, 09:56:43 PM
Quote from: jaseemtp on December 17, 2011, 08:36:19 PM
I was planning on freezing the comb for the 24 hours Scott suggested and then putting them in an air tight container of sorts and go from there. 

That sounds good.  If you were freezing honey in combs, I would say maybe three days, just to be sure that all the honey reaches a solid freeze for long enough. 
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: AllenF on December 17, 2011, 10:30:14 PM
If you are pulling supers out of the freezer to bag/ store them up tight, make sure you let them dry out first.   As they warm back up they will sweat.   That moisture will cause mold to break out.   Just a day to dry out. 
Title: Re: Storing brood comb
Post by: jaseemtp on December 18, 2011, 12:54:12 AM
ahh I did not think of that.  Thank y'all.  There is not much honey / syrup left in the combs as the other hives robbed em out.