How clean do old frames need to be

[Jacar]

I am cleaning up frames from this past season. A lot of them had a small infestation of wax moths before I caught it. I put all the frames in freezer and they are now moth free. Crossing fingers. 

Many of them are in good shape but have residual droppings and some webs left over from the moths.  What is best tactic to reuse theses frames. Clean them up as best as I can or replace the foundation? Will the bees clean out the comb that is contaminated?

A lot of work to replace the foundation but I don't want to be concerned with contamination when I harvest next year. 

Thanks for any input.

Jack

[Kathyp]

don't worry about it.  the bees will clean it all up. 

[Eric Bosworth]

While I agree with kathyp that the bees will clean it up you could save a lot of work by not using foundation.

[Joe D]

I will take a scribe and clean the frames some, to get the web and etc. out, and let the bees do the rest.


Good luck to you and your bees.




Joe

[danno]

If its plastic like I use what I do is lay them out flat on a concrete slab.  I then lay a section of chain link fence over them.   Fence is a section of dog kennel.   I then break out the pressure washer.   I do about 50 at a time.  Flip them and do the other side

[Jacar]

Thanks for the replies. That helps.

Jack

[asprince]

I take a c up brush on a 4" angle grinder and clean off the old wax and then roll on a thin fresh coat of wax. I do not try to get them new clean, just knock off the old stuff.


Steve

[Michael Bush]

How clean?  Not very.  The bees will do the detail work.  I would remove any great amount of webbing and leave the rest to the bees.