Removing old comb from good framesq

[meroopt]

Hi all,

With spring here I looked at my hives and I need to replace many of the combs as they are old and black (hives were inherited from my neighbour).  I was wondering what the best way to remove the old combs is.  Do I just cut them out and if so do I leave the wires in place or should they be replaced as well.  Once the comb is removed how are the frames best cleaned up?

Looking forward to the usual flurry of reponses.

Meroopt

[sean]

I normally cut off the comb leaving about a half inch at the top(assuming thats its not plastic) then give the frame back to the bees.

[Sean Kelly]

The bees like the old black comb.  Looks yucky to us and isn't as pretty as new virgin white comb but they seem to love it.

I'd take the wires out and restring it with new stuff since the old might be a little rusty.  To clean the frames, just scrape the wax and propolis off with your hive tool.

Sean Kelly

[buzzbee]

Sean,
It is a good idea to replace old comb every so often because anything the ebes drag in chemical wise gets absorbed into the combs and can build up to the point of being toxic to the bees.
Around here they are talking replacing the brood combs every five years but that may be too long. If it gets to where you have any unexplained brood problems,I would start switching out the old combs.

[mswartfager]

The small local apiary (about 80 hives) that I got my nuc from has had no problems with disease, CCD, or anything else according to the owner and he is always using old comb that is black, looks awful, etc..., but he claims the bees clean it up and use it just fine.

[JP]

You don't need to remove every little piece, think of the little bit that's left as starter strip material, no need to remove propolis either.

...JP

[Sean Kelly]

Sean,
It is a good idea to replace old comb every so often because anything the ebes drag in chemical wise gets absorbed into the combs and can build up to the point of being toxic to the bees.
Around here they are talking replacing the brood combs every five years but that may be too long. If it gets to where you have any unexplained brood problems,I would start switching out the old combs.

Ken, you're right!  I remember reading that somewhere.  :-)  I guess that might also be more important in agriculture areas where the use of pesticides might be high.  Out here in the woods and dairy fields, we don't have much of an issue with heavy spraying.  But I can see where it might be important.

What about with honey supers?  Should those be switched out too?  It takes so long for the bees to build up new comb and doing so every other year or so would suck.

Sean Kelly

[EasternShore]

Just curious, when is the best  time to pull the frames? Spring would mean losing potenial brood , honey would not be an issue....

[JP]

Just curious, when is the best  time to pull the frames? Spring would mean losing potenial brood , honey would not be an issue....

Spring.


...JP

[Jim134]

Sean,
It is a good idea to replace old comb every so often because anything the bees drag in chemical wise gets absorbed into the combs and can build up to the point of being toxic to the bees.
Around here they are talking replacing the brood combs every five years but that may be too long. If it gets to where you have any unexplained brood problems,I would start switching out the old combs.

I have honey super combs 10 to 20 yrs old and switch out brood combs in 5 to 7 yrs old and switch out brood combs in the SPRING and honey super when you add them