Bait Hive Maintenance

[StarrGin]

Last spring after completing a cut out, I had an unused hive.  I place the hive in a area near a creek with some old comb frames and foundation just to see if a hive would move in.  No success.

This year I plan to try a swarm lure.  I left the hive unattended over the winter.  A mouse moved in and some of the foundation appears to have a growth on it.  The grow is finger/web like and has small black spots/mites about the size of a flee.

Any idea on what the grow is?
What affect will mouse scent have on the bait hive/lure?
Should I clean the hive (how?) and start with fresh foundation for the spring?

[Robo]

I'd clean the hive out, get rid of the growing combs and put some (new) old comb in it.   Put some 1/4" hardware cloth on the entrance as a mouse guard.  Don't waste your time or foundation in this hive, use old comb and foundationless.   Once you get a swarm, then you can swap out the empty frames with foundation if you want.