what do you do with comb pieces

[charles]

I broke off a piece of comb (about 5" dia.) from a frame, and regularly scrape burr comb off the inside of the inner cover. What does one normally do with unused comb? Can I just leave it around for the bees to recycle, or will they just ignore it? I'm having a good nectar flow right now in NE Florida and just added a medium honey super.

[Kathyp]

i have a comb bucket.  when i have enough of it saved from hive or cutouts, i melt it all down.. if there is honey in it, i leave it out for the bees to clean up, then toss it in the bucket (that has a lid).
they do not recycle the wax from the broken comb.

[charles]

Thanks. Good info.

[blckoakbees]

Hi,

I put it in a plastic bag and then when the weather gets hot I put it through the solar melter to clean it up.  The design for the solar melter I got from this website and is made from an old cooler plastic container paper towel and rubber band and piece of plastic or glass.

It works great and I get really nice beeswax to sell, use or make stuff from.  It is rather fun seeing the really messy comb turn into some nice yellow wax.

Hope this is of help.

[dpence]

We keep it in plastic bags for melting.  It is very marketable.  My wife uses it in soaps and facial care products.

David 

[Pond Creek Farm]

I carry a zip lock bag when I inspect the hive and put all scrapings of burr comb in the bag.  If there is any honey, I leave it out for the bees and the put it in the bag after they clean it all up.  I will melt this with the wax from the crush and strain.  (I hope.  Last year I only had one bag full of wax)