Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: TNjohn on November 26, 2013, 08:08:53 PM

Title: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: TNjohn on November 26, 2013, 08:08:53 PM
I had a few frames I wanted to take honey from last fall and didn't want to borrow an extractor again. I scraped off the comb and crushed and strained. The foundation appears to be in good shape. Will the bees draw it out again if I put it in a super, or should I replace the foundation?
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: capt44 on November 26, 2013, 08:39:21 PM
The bees should clean it and repair and replace the comb.
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: TNjohn on November 26, 2013, 09:49:43 PM
Thanks Capt. That's what I figured, but wanted to make sure. Happy Thanksgiving!
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: danno on November 27, 2013, 09:08:36 AM
for me it has always worked better to pressure wash them and roll wax on them before putting them back
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: asprince on November 27, 2013, 09:17:33 AM
I always wire brush them with a wire cup on a 4" grinder and then roll on a fresh coat of wax. I dont try to get them super clean.


Steve
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: dirt road on November 27, 2013, 08:55:21 PM
I suppose I can understand going to some extra effort to clean up foundation which has had brood on it, but for the life of me I can't see why one would go to such lengths to clean up foundation which only had honey on it. But, maybe I've just been up too many hours to be trying to think.
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: asprince on November 27, 2013, 09:13:24 PM
Probably no need to go through the extra trouble for honey frames. I always extract and reuse my drawn comb.


Steve 
Title: Re: Reusing foundation after scraping off comb
Post by: danno on November 28, 2013, 09:16:00 AM
I missed the honey frame part and agree with the rest.   Just pop them back in.   Old brood frames are a different story