Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: FatherMichael on February 29, 2020, 09:02:54 PM

Title: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on February 29, 2020, 09:02:54 PM
P-U, are these things made of asphalt?
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: van from Arkansas on February 29, 2020, 09:38:56 PM
Smells like bees wax to me.  I just opened a box of 100 black foundation 9 1/8 after I read your post, no bad smell to me.  My frames are from mann lake.
Van
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 10:13:43 AM
Quote from: FatherMichael on February 29, 2020, 09:02:54 PM
P-U, are these things made of asphalt?

Where did you purchase theses foundations? What brand did you buy?
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 02, 2020, 07:36:00 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 10:13:43 AM
Quote from: FatherMichael on February 29, 2020, 09:02:54 PM
P-U, are these things made of asphalt?

Where did you purchase theses foundations? What brand did you buy?

They came with a deep box and frames from Busy Bees and More Amish Made ... Sold by Galena Farms.

Saved $10!  LOL
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 07:47:57 PM
The Amish people, as far as I know, are known for craftsmanship of making and building top quality products. I did not know why your frames which smell like asphalt. Seems a mystery?
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 02, 2020, 08:50:15 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 07:47:57 PM
The Amish people, as far as I know, are known for craftsmanship of making and building top quality products. I did not know why your frames which smell like asphalt. Seems a mystery?

Yes, the woodenware was excellent.

Need to apply beeswax to the foundations.
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 09:06:45 PM
(Need to apply beeswax to the foundations.)


Yes Sir, Perhaps beeswax will seal in the asphalt smell. I am assuming these foundations are plastic. You may have already heard of what I am about to suggest.  There is a fellow in Florida that melts his old combs in a stainless steel vat each season. He saves this for dipping his plastic foundation in for coating. This practice makes a quick, effective and efficient way to coat his plastic foundation. I have not tried this but it certainly sounds promising. Being you are just getting things into gear you may not have the wax resources to accomplish this, but in the future, this may be worth looking into. I hope this helps you.

Phillip Hall
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 03, 2020, 12:13:12 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 02, 2020, 09:06:45 PM
(Need to apply beeswax to the foundations.)


Yes Sir, Perhaps beeswax will seal in the asphalt smell. I am assuming these foundations are plastic. You may have already heard of what I am about to suggest.  There is a fellow in Florida that melts his old combs in a stainless steel vat each season. He saves this for dipping his plastic foundation in for coating. This practice makes a quick, effective and efficient way to coat his plastic foundation. I have not tried this but it certainly sounds promising. Being you are just getting things into gear you may not have the wax resources to accomplish this, but in the future, this may be worth looking into. I hope this helps you.

Phillip Hall

Thanks, Phillip.

Don't have enough wax for dipping but I painted some on them this morning.  It didn't help.

Will spend time at the dumpster to get these noxious things out of my life!  LOL
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: Kathyp on March 03, 2020, 02:43:49 PM

QuoteWill spend time at the dumpster to get these noxious things out of my life!  LOL

I'd contact the company and see what they say before you toss them.  Also, leaving them outside for a few days might help cure them.  Probably have to remove the wax you put on first...and if you use the blowdryer maybe don't tell your wife about it   :grin:
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 03, 2020, 03:07:45 PM
Quote from: kathyp on March 03, 2020, 02:43:49 PM

QuoteWill spend time at the dumpster to get these noxious things out of my life!  LOL

I'd contact the company and see what they say before you toss them.  Also, leaving them outside for a few days might help cure them.  Probably have to remove the wax you put on first...and if you use the blowdryer maybe don't tell your wife about it   :grin:

Thanks, Kathy.  Already tossed them.  The smell was really bad.  They had been outside for several days already.

Ordered replacements from Acorn.
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 04, 2020, 05:02:44 PM
Foundations from Acorn came today and I installed them.  They seem stiffer, coated much better, and smelled sweet like real beeswax.
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: jtcmedic on March 04, 2020, 08:25:48 PM
I really like the acorn, my splits took to them very quickly almost two frames in a 3 days. I hope they work for you.
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 04, 2020, 08:30:30 PM
"I really like the acorn, my splits took to them very quickly almost two frames in a 3 days. I hope they work for you."

I have been advised by a beekeeper whom I totally trust to invest in Acorn also. I should have already ordered and need to get on it. I probably will stick with foundationless for my brood but Acron for the honey.
"decisions"  lol

Phillip
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 04, 2020, 08:31:52 PM
Quote from: jtcmedic on March 04, 2020, 08:25:48 PM
I really like the acorn, my splits took to them very quickly almost two frames in a 3 days. I hope they work for you.

Thanks, jtc.

If I were a bee I'd like them.  ;-)
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: MikeyN.C. on March 04, 2020, 09:00:59 PM
Father, how did you have frames stored ? Over winter
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: jtcmedic on March 05, 2020, 07:20:54 AM
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 04, 2020, 08:30:30 PM
I really like the acorn, my splits took to them very quickly almost two frames in a 3 days. I hope they work for you."

I have been advised by a beekeeper whom I totally trust to invest in Acorn also. I should have already ordered and need to get on it. I probably will stick with foundationless for my brood but Acron for the honey.
"decisions"  lol

Phillip
On my cut outs I feel foundationless I do mark them on top of frame so I don?t forget or if my wife is in the hives
Title: Re: Why do these black foundations smell bad?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 05, 2020, 04:15:55 PM
Quote from: MikeyN.C. on March 04, 2020, 09:00:59 PM
Father, how did you have frames stored ? Over winter

Had them since February 21 of this year.