Frame Cleaning Questions

[ScoobyDoBee]

I have a bunch of frames that I'm storing. They are in various stages of occupancy - with either wax or pollen.  They did have a bunch of uncapped honey in many of them, but when it was warm enough I set them out and let the bees eat it so it wouldn't ferment.

What I am wondering now is which frames I should scrape off the wax of and let the girls start over.  I asked a local beek and he said just stick them all in and the bees will take care of them. But I also read about people saying "clean up your frames" and I really don't know what that means, other than removing burr comb, propolis, etc. I know the bees can take care of pretty much any condition of frame, but I'm thinking there is probably some prudent measures one uses when evaluating this??? 

So I wonder if you guyz could take a look at these frames and tell me what you would do with them - clean them or stick them back in as is.  One is full of pollen.  Is there anything I can do with that?  Bees didn't seem to care about it when I set it outside for them. I think with your answers on this I can figure out how to handle most of the other ones. THANKS!!



Pollen filled frame


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[hardwood]

Just stick 'em in, they'll be fine.

Scott

[rdy-b]

  I agree with Harwood --But I will say this if you want to clean out pollen packed frames -wet them and let them mold
then put them in and they will clean them out-there are times when you have over abundance of these pollen packed frames --RDY-B

[AliciaH]

Ditto, just put them in when you need them. 

From time to time, I will take my hot knife to a frame that the bees have built out deep enough that it interferes with frame spacing.  If one is too think, then the bees won't build the next one over to the proper thickness for brood.  But if you don't have problems like that, then it's all good!

...there are times when you have over abundance of these pollen packed frames --RDY-B

LOL!  I could dream!  We don't start getting good pollen sources up here until late winter/early spring, and even then the bees aren't always flying yet to find it.  When I get a frame that looks like that, I store it!

[rdy-b]

the problem starts with a queenless hive --they will plug out with pollen before the flow-
its a indicator -- LOL-- :lol: RDY-B

[ScoobyDoBee]

  I agree with Harwood --But I will say this if you want to clean out pollen packed frames -wet them and let them mold
then put them in and they will clean them out-there are times when you have over abundance of these pollen packed frames --RDY-B

Rdy-B....why would I want them to mold? If you say wet them, I guess that means the pollen is too hard now? Couldn't I just wet them and NOT let it mold?

So you guys think it won't take more time tidying up those frames, or at best making funky comb that doesn't hold a lot of honey?

[rdy-b]

 If you put frames of pollen in a hive for a resource for the hive there are no worries- ;)
However if you put frames packed with pollen in your hive and expect the bees to clear them
so you will be able to use them as brood frames (every hive has to have available space for brood rearing)
it will be a long and unproductive wait-if you need open comb - you gota do what you gota do to get it-
cant leave it plugged out--every one talks as if those frames that are plugged are a treasure -truth be told is they can be a real pain-most keepers i know have a limited amount of drawn comb-- :)--RDY-B

[rdy-b]

 scobby---on another thread we where talking a little about  entombed pollen
it looks like there might be some entombed pollen on that frame-(pollen caped with propilis)
can you dig some out and tell us if it is brick red--RDY-B

[ScoobyDoBee]

it looks like there might be some entombed pollen on that frame-(pollen caped with propilis) can you dig some out and tell us if it is brick red--RDY-B

Yes - that will be an interesting experiment. I will try to do that Saturday. I'm guessing "brick red" will be obvious?

Are you thinking the darkest areas are possibly propolis capped?  I've now got to go do my reading on entombed pollen!! :)

[rdy-b]

 yes heres some info--dont be alarmed this is not a problem for your hive--RDY-B

http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/publications/Entombed

[ScoobyDoBee]

yes heres some info--dont be alarmed this is not a problem for your hive--RDY-Bhttp://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/publications/Entombed

:shock: WHAT? :shock: Dont be ALARMED?? :shock: OMG! I didn't know!
(thanks - I think :) - for the link, btw)

How do you KNOW it's not a problem for my hive??? I'm thinking I should only open the cells that are that dark color I mentioned? That may be propolis? Or wax. But if it's NOT red on the top and it IS red underneath - that's the indicator?

Will check ASAP.

Dont be alarmed??? Oy. :)

[rdy-b]

**But if it's NOT red on the top and it IS red underneath - that's the indicator?**---Yep

all the paper means is they studied it and conclusion is at worst Inconclusive- ;)
they dumped a ton of money at research for CCD (and thats a good thing) and
there are some that want to hang it on the big pesticide companies so they made a run at
entombed pollen---its been around for long time and wont hurt your bees--its not relay
pollen -the bees took out the pollen grain and what is left is the husk-the bees do something
to it (i dont know what)and they cap it with propilis-it turns red from some reaction--?
poster; Frame-shift compared it to what ants do with there fungus farming of decaying plant mater-
and i think he could be right-Duno-  :lol:  sometimes its all propilis- some times its entombed pollen
wonder what there doing-seams if it was bad the bees would just remove it-- ;) RDY-B