Mold

ApisM · November 22, 2014, 10:38:51 PM

My bees died last spring due to very cold conditions. I only had one colony left because of bear attacks, so I was hoping to get it though the the 2012-2013 winter. However, it died.

I couldn't find any beekeepers to sell a nuc this year because all the beekeepers sustained 75% losses as well. So everyone did horrible. We are in a mite-free area so it has nothing to do with mites; just long-cold winter (-30 to -40 for prolong time).

Question: My frames of unused honey are mold-covered from my dead-out. About 20 frames. Should I save these frames of honey for 2015 colonies that I will purchase or just boil the frames to extract the wax and forget about the capped, moldy honey. What would you do? I would hate to waste all that honey, but maybe I should.

buzzbee · November 23, 2014, 09:10:36 AM

Is it mold or just bloom on the wax? If the honey was capped it may just be bloom.
What part of Canada is mite free? I would lessen the odds on hive beetles,but mites? They have been using oxalic acid as a mite treatment for quite some time, leading me to believe they most likely are not mite free.

davers · November 23, 2014, 09:14:02 AM

What is bloom on wax?

buzzbee · November 23, 2014, 09:23:43 AM

A block of wax or even beeswax candles stored long term will get almost a powdery white substance on the outside.
The bloom ,if you will. Harmless.
Heres is a pic of red candles with a little bit of bloom:
http://www.gooserockfarm.com/images/beeswax/bloom.jpg

jayj200 · November 23, 2014, 10:48:59 AM

I will go with that
where are the pictures?
one could do this freeze the combs and give some to your next hive
harvest the honey
scrape it off and discard the golden ooze
If however you decide to toss the stuff power wash the frames sun dry and your good to go.

rober · November 23, 2014, 10:53:49 AM

are you sure it's mold & not wax moth webs? if it is mold I have hosed the frames off, shaken off/out as much water as possible, & frozen them. after freezing I sprayed them with a very weak bleach solution, put them back in a hive body, & allowed them to air dry completely before storing them. if going back into hives right away I checker boarded them in. the bees finished any clean-up needed. the honey should not mold, just the wax.

buzzbee · November 23, 2014, 01:35:52 PM

Quote from: rober on November 23, 2014, 10:53:49 AM
are you sure it's mold & not wax moth webs? if it is mold I have hosed the frames off, shaken off/out as much water as possible, & frozen them. after freezing I sprayed them with a very weak bleach solution, put them back in a hive body, & allowed them to air dry completely before storing them. if going back into hives right away I checker boarded them in. the bees finished any clean-up needed. the honey should not mold, just the wax.

Hadn't thought of waxmoth webs. If thats the case they moved in on a weak colony.Perhaps they had more space than they could protect?

ApisM · December 06, 2014, 02:03:12 PM

Thanks everyone. It is not bloom. It is a blue green mold and is fussy. It always occurs during the winter, especially on the outer frames. I have given these moldy frames to healthy colonies and they clean them up just fine. However, wasn't sure if it was ok.

I live on the Northshore of Lake Superior (Marathon). Absolutely no mites. I've dealt with mites previously when I lived in other parts of Ontario. I am told it is one of the last hold-out in N.America for mites. Mites just arrived last year to Thunder Bay, but previously it was mite free.

rdy-b · December 10, 2014, 04:09:52 AM

the color of the mold indicates the toxicity -I have been taught that black mold on wax is the worst
i have seen black stain on wood frames and no problem-blue green and white on wax no problem-
sometimes these are indicators of other problems in the hive-during winter ventilation is most important
mold is mold whether toxic or not try to prevent any condition that creates this environment--RDY-B