keep or trash drawn comb?

[Suzy]

I just purchased some used beekeeping equipment which included wooden frames with drawn comb in them. The seller advised me that the comb should remain in the frames because the bees will re-use it for brood and for honey. The equipment hasn't been used for 15 years. Should I keep the drawn comb in the frames or trash it?

[latebee]

Without knowing the history of the used items I would definitely trash the comb. Used equipment is risky business at best.It would not hurt to scorch the hive body interiors and buy some new frames as well.

[rsilver000]

I would melt the wax and get new frames.  The frames are cheap and hard to completely clean so you don't have to worry about diseases.  I personally don't think it is worth the bother to clean them.  I would never use old comb not from my hives, too high a risk for disease.  As an additional point the wax comb is probably pretty fragile and flakey.
Good luck,
Rob

[Brian D. Bray]

A very good rule to follow in beekeeping when obtaining used equipment is to assume it has had disease and handle it accordingly.  Disassemble and Scorch the boxes as virus's and disease spores can hide for decades in the cracks.  Cut out and melt all wax.  It is best to replace the frames but at the very least dissaemble them, boil them for 1/2 hour in hot water, let dry fully, and then reassemble.

[Michael Bush]

How old it is, isn't a problem.  How dirty it is, isn't a problem unless it's really covered in mud.  The bees will clean it up.  The issue is AFB spores live forever and you don't know the history of the combs.  But if there's no AFB scale, it MAY be good comb.  But comb is easy enough for the bees to replace.  It depends on how much you trust the source of the combs.

[Mici]

First step to knowing th equipments history would be to ask the seller, why he stopped keeping, and how long did he keep.

[Michael Bush]

Honestly, it's true there is risk involved, but I use used equipment all the time and have never had a problem.