storing supers & frames

[rober]

before i store my extracted frames for the winter should i freeze them 1st to kill any lurking critters? i haven't the space in the freezer to leave them all winter so how long is long enough to kill any larva or eggs?

[yockey5]

3-4 hours should do it.

[Michael Bush]

Store them outside where they will freeze.  Just keep the mice out of them.

[rober]

i'll leave them overnight then. i do not want to wait for winter. would beetles, mites, moths hatch & breed without being in the hive?

[mikecva]

A simple answer on their hatching . . . yes

freeze the frames overnight first then the answer is . . . .   no

Let the bees clean the frames by putting them about 50 feet from your hive for about three days, off the ground so the ants do not get on them. Then freeze the frames overnight or ~8 hours. Put the post frozen frames back in the box and store off the ground and covered (I store mine on their side) so the rain is off the frames and the air can get to them.  -Mike

[rober]

the bees cleaned them yesterday. they even chewed a little wax but no serious damage.