So I had a honey super of frames with some honey in them and the did not have a hive to put them on so I stored them in my garage.
Went to use them and found little worms in the comb (Maggots???) Washed the frames out and now wondering if I can use them or not in the future.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mike
My guess is Small Hive Beetle. After you have rinsed them off go ahead and stick it in the freezer for a day or two to kill anything left behind like eggs. Then I think you can put them back on the hive and the bees will clean them up, but get a second opinion on that one.
Ditto Evan's post. If they are severely slimed by the hive beetle larvae don't give them back to the bees as it may cause them to abscond. A little bit is ok, but if the frames are overrun with them cut the bad out before putting it back on the bees. Next time freeze the frames first let them thaw and put them in a sealed plastic bag before storing.
Scott
Wax moth worms make lots of webbing as they travel. Small hive beetles don't. Freeze the frames either way to kill them.
don't think it is wax moths or SHB. it is just real small white worms. no webbing or slime. I hosed them out. what do you think about taking them out to the hives and putting them above the inner cover so they can rob the honey out?
Quote from: rgy on August 06, 2012, 08:22:33 AM
what do you think about taking them out to the hives and putting them above the inner cover so they can rob the honey out?
Under the inner cover could invite more of the same. What I do to empty frames is expose the frame(s) 50+ yards away (the further the better) from the hives. They'll rob them of all usable stores fast enough that the SHB's can't infest them. They will tear up fresh comb though.
you could freeze them first then put them on for clean up. be sure to thoroughly thaw them before you give them. do it where it won't matter if they drip!!!
Freeze it no matter what you do to kill what ever it is. You can set it outside (while still frozen) and let the bees clean it up. It does not have to go inside a hive.
Gotta agree with Allen on this one. It seems to take no time for the girls to find any exposed honey or propolis, but if you put it directly in the hive, you run the risk of exposing them to much more than they're ready to take on. From what I've seen so far (with my limited experience) if you put it pretty much ANYWHERE they can find it, they'll clear it out without having to worry about encouraging other hives to rob them, or risking giving them more than they can handle. After a good long freeze, I'd just set it out for them to clean out themselves. Then if anything of the wax is salvageable, melt it down. If not, clean the frames thoroughly before considering reuse.