Can I wait to extract from frames with SHB in the hive?

kedgel · December 05, 2009, 07:14:29 PM

I robbed 3 frames from a hive that has a problem. I figured with fewer bees in the hive, I'd better remove some frames to avoid a total collapse from the SHB in it. My problem is I don't have an extractor. I ordered one, but it won't be here for a week. I worry that there are eggs in the frames that will hatch and ruin the honey if wait too long. Any of you beeks have experience with this? In the old days one could keep the frames of honey off the hive for some time before extracting with no problems. Now that SHB's have permanently changed the landscape, I constantly have questions I can't find answers to. I did a search on here, but found nothing that addresses this question. Should I freeze them, or will that screw up the honey? I'd hate to wake up tomorrow and find maggots burrowing through my honeycomb!

Kathyp · December 05, 2009, 07:16:08 PM

3 frames are not worth breaking out the extractor. search for crush and strain.

Kathyp · December 05, 2009, 07:19:22 PM

another thought...

did you feed this hive? if you did, don't bother extracting the honey.

freeze the frames and feed them back later.

iddee · December 05, 2009, 07:28:56 PM

Your thoughts are correct. Freeze the frames for 48 hours and seal thenm in plastic bags.

Michael Bush · December 06, 2009, 03:12:03 PM

Two things will stop the SHB. Low humidity and freezing temps. If you keep the humidity low enough they will not hatch. Freezing will kill the eggs.

kedgel · December 07, 2009, 12:53:30 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on December 06, 2009, 03:12:03 PM
Two things will stop the SHB. Low humidity and freezing temps. If you keep the humidity low enough they will not hatch. Freezing will kill the eggs.

Great... :? I'm in South FLORIDA! Two things that never happen here are low humidity and freezing temps! I did follow Iddee's advice and bagged and froze my frames after giving them the vacuum cleaner treatment to remove some of the moisture from the honey combs. I'm still wondering if freezing will affect the honey. I was hoping to eat this myself as this is the first honey I've taken from my hives this year. The shb have really kicked my Obama!

SlickMick · December 07, 2009, 05:28:31 AM

Thaw it out and go for it Kedg, you'll enjoy it all the more because it was gained with difficulty

SlickMick

kedgel · December 08, 2009, 01:38:07 AM

Quote from: kathyp on December 05, 2009, 07:16:08 PM
3 frames are not worth breaking out the extractor. search for crush and strain.

Any tips on C&S when using wired frames and foundation? Also, I wasn't expecting to take honey from the brood box, so there is a little brood in the honey comb. :-X BLECH! I can work around a little brood when using the extractor.

SlickMick · December 08, 2009, 04:57:50 AM

Hey Kedg, dont be a woos.. do a little crush and strain... strike me roan its only 3 frames... and you'll get all the wax back.

Before I went to crush and strain I had all my frames wired. Now there are only wired frames in the brood boxes except for a few in the supers. Just cut along the wires and the whole comb between the wires falls out. Do it into a bucket with some holes drilled into the bottom and the good stuff just runs out.. its a cinch

Slicko the Micko