When to re wax or clean the frames? includes photo's

squidink · January 25, 2013, 12:22:51 AM

Hi Peoples,
out of interest when do you clean your frames?

I had this hive die from natural causes, this frame is 4 months old with dead brood. If i transfer this frame to a new hive, Will the bees clean out the dead brood? or shall i replace it with new foundation?

This frame has been broken. What would you do? let the bees fix it or replace the foundation?

thank you for your replies,
Ben

divemaster1963 · January 25, 2013, 12:38:28 AM

Looks like you have some Wax moth damage. time to cut it out and melt the wax. dip the frame in some boiling water for 5min. let dry and either put new foundation in it or stick it in the hive and let the girls build it new again.

John

squidink · January 25, 2013, 07:26:31 AM

Thanks mate, that's the bottom frame but what about the frame that's got no wax month damage and has capped dead brood?

Ben

AllenF · January 25, 2013, 08:37:15 AM

Bees will clean all of it up just fine. I would save the comb. There is nothing wrong with it.

Finski · January 25, 2013, 08:55:42 AM

Quote from: squidink on January 25, 2013, 12:22:51 AM

This frame has been broken. What would you do? let the bees fix it or replace the foundation?

Bees fix whatever but those combs are black and too old. Propably bees chew all the comb away and make totally new combs.
But however, the lower comb is too old to put into hive, even if it would be unbroken.

.

squidink · January 26, 2013, 04:46:48 AM

Thanks for the replies!

It's interesting as different people would do the opersite.

Anyone else care to post what they would do?

Cheers
Ben

Finski · January 26, 2013, 06:14:05 AM

.
If I have a patch of dead brood in a good frame, nowadays I cut it off and I glue a piece of foundation into hole.
If you leave it open, bees make drones there. It disturbs frame handling.

johng · January 26, 2013, 08:24:39 PM

the first one I would reuse. The second one I would replace with new foundation.

DLMKA · January 27, 2013, 01:56:52 PM

Is it just me or do the cappings in the first frame appear perforated? How does it smell?

T Beek · January 28, 2013, 12:34:00 PM

I'd remove all but 1/2" of the old comb (has many uses), left on the top bar as a guide and go FOUNDATIONLESS.

Your bees will know what to do ;).

edward · January 28, 2013, 02:00:09 PM

When in doubt clean it out!

Give the girls some new clean foundation, they will make a new clean comb in no time, don't risk there health with old comb that you your self think is dubious :-\

mvh edward :-P

T Beek · January 28, 2013, 02:30:45 PM

Is there really such a thing as 'clean' foundation? This questions has actually been answered.

Even if a Beek uses their own comb, is it 'ever' clean? Compared to what? How many chemical residues are acceptable in foundation?

Nothing is as clean as the real thing, made fresh by your own bees IMO. FOUNDATIONLESS Beekeeping isn't hard and your bees will thank you :)

Do bees in a tree replace old comb w/clean comb? Or do they just take off to another tree when the comb becomes too contaminated?