Are These Frames OK To Use

JordanM · April 10, 2009, 03:13:24 PM

The first picture is of a colony that died over winter and the bees are stuck head first in the bottom of the cell. Do i need to get the bees out of the cells or will the new package clean them out when i install them?

The second picture is of a frame and foundation. This foundation is a little old, the wires running through it are a little rusty and it has turned a little darker color. Is this foundation and frame still ok to use to start a new packe of bees on?

The third picture is of the pollen that was in hive that died, there is mold growing in three of the cells that have pollen in them. Is this frame still ok to use for the package of bees?

The fourth picture is of a frame and some wax that i had, there is some crystalized honey in the cells and the wax has turned darker. Is this ok to start one of my packages on?

All in all i want to know which of these frames are still ok to use?

oldenglish · April 10, 2009, 03:28:58 PM

you could use them all as is, the bees will clean them right up. I have seen frames used that looked much worse than those. However you should still plan on replacing each foundation every 3-5 yrs

hankdog1 · April 11, 2009, 12:33:45 AM

I would use all except the 3rd one just for the fact it was drawn out ununiform. But i've seen wax foundation much worse looking then that. Besides the bees will clean up the other stuff even the dead bees. They are very good house keepers.

JP · April 11, 2009, 12:49:25 AM

#3 is questionable but probably fine. As mentioned bees will clean almost anything up. Really old, black comb you may want to use in swarm traps.

Some say the really old stuff can harbor disease.

...JP

JordanM · April 11, 2009, 09:50:48 AM

I have another question. I purchased this foundation when i bought out a beekeeper that didnt have bees anymore. It has vertical and horizontel wires that form 1x1 square boxes and is outlined with a metal strip. I have never seen foundation like this ever befour. Here is a better picture of some new foundation:

Does anyone know where this came from?

justgojumpit · April 11, 2009, 09:44:04 PM

wow, that is overkill on the foundation! I don't even use foundation at all, just a guide built into the top bar for the bees to follow! I think all of the frames are ok to use. The third one looks like it could get phased out after another two years or so, but I would still use it for now, especially to help a package get started.

justgojumpit

hankdog1 · April 11, 2009, 11:18:14 PM

lol that foundation looks like it's strong enough to be extracted with a jet engine.

MustbeeNuts · April 12, 2009, 11:08:09 AM

Hey Jordan, I got the same stuff in my hives that died out ver the winter. I have already packaged bees in it. If you wait a week I'll let ya knw how it goes. but everything I have read said go for it. The bees will clean it. Thats some heavy duty foundation you got there. Looks like you don't need to wire. LOL Someone told me there are 1000 ways to do bees and ther all right. LOL

JordanM · April 12, 2009, 10:39:03 PM

You already got packages up here mustbeenuts?

MustbeeNuts · April 13, 2009, 04:14:30 PM

Yes , :)

mick · April 14, 2009, 07:11:31 AM

For the sake of 4 frames, I would remove all the comb, give em a light blow torch and re foundation them.

Not worth the risk of pests and diseases IMO.

Brian D. Bray · April 15, 2009, 03:10:01 AM

Quote from: JordanM on April 11, 2009, 09:50:48 AM
I have another question. I purchased this foundation when i bought out a beekeeper that didnt have bees anymore. It has vertical and horizontel wires that form 1x1 square boxes and is outlined with a metal strip. I have never seen foundation like this ever befour. Here is a better picture of some new foundation:

Does anyone know where this came from?

That is an old type of comb used to measure comb building in a hive for a scientific study. Special heavy brood comb, crimped with metal to re-inforce it. The smaller wires form a 1 inch grid that is used for measuring areas of the foundation comb depth and excising comb samples in 1 inch squares. I haven't seen that in a long while, I think most entomologist working with bees have gone over to using the same types of foundation that everybody else uses.

TwT · April 15, 2009, 05:43:15 AM

Quote from: hankdog1 on April 11, 2009, 11:18:14 PM
lol that foundation looks like it's strong enough to be extracted with a jet engine.

you got that right, never seen that much wire in a hive body counting all 10 frames :-D

Cossack · April 15, 2009, 12:21:43 PM

I would use all but the third picture.

Good Luck.

JordanM · April 15, 2009, 08:37:02 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on April 15, 2009, 03:10:01 AM
Quote from: JordanM on April 11, 2009, 09:50:48 AM
I have another question. I purchased this foundation when i bought out a beekeeper that didnt have bees anymore. It has vertical and horizontel wires that form 1x1 square boxes and is outlined with a metal strip. I have never seen foundation like this ever befour. Here is a better picture of some new foundation:

Does anyone know where this came from?

That is an old type of comb used to measure comb building in a hive for a scientific study. Special heavy brood comb, crimped with metal to re-inforce it. The smaller wires form a 1 inch grid that is used for measuring areas of the foundation comb depth and excising comb samples in 1 inch squares. I haven't seen that in a long while, I think most entomologist working with bees have gone over to using the same types of foundation that everybody else uses.

Wow, is it worth any money? Maybe i should be selling it instead of installing it in my hives i have 2 unopened boxes of i think 150 in each one.

MustbeeNuts · April 17, 2009, 10:25:28 AM

Put it on ebay. there is scads of stuff on ebay for beekeeping. most of it is nonsense stuff, so that could sell and make you some cash money.

challenger · April 17, 2009, 10:43:35 AM

I have 6 frames from a failed split-w-similar look but no mold, lots of polen and good capped honey. I'd like to get rid of the dead brood/bees. If I put this on a real strong hive how long does it take for them to clean it and does it hurt their ability to make honey. Our nectar flow is about to bust.
Thanks-Howard