Storing/re-using old frames?

[beebeeking]

My partner and I were unfortunate enough to have our first and only colony of bees disappear on us while we were gone for two weeks in October (we're assuming some of them swarmed, and the rest were maybe left with an unmated queen...?? we really have no idea what happened, and being such newbies at this we're kind of shooting in the dark for answers.)  Anyway, we're going to start up again in the spring with a new package of bees, but in the meantime, I'm wondering what to do with the frames that have been drawn out but have a tiny  bit of capped brood still left on them.  We'd of course like to use the frames with drawn comb intact, as that means less work for our new girls in the spring to do, but I'm not sure if it's okay because there is a tiny bit of capped brood...would that in some way confuse the new bees, or could it pose a health hazard?  Also, what's the best way/place to store the frames over the winter? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[Mici]

this answer is also shooting into darkness but it does sound logic...to me at least.
yes, healt issues, i'd cut out ALL of the brood (look for uncapped as well) and store the rest. just my opinion

[pdmattox]

Sounds like the absconded to me.  You could freeze the frames and bag them for next year.  The bees will clean up and discard the junk.

[beebeeking]

How long should I freeze the frames?  Also, any suggestions on what type of bags to store the frames in, or does it matter?  I haven't encountered wax moths yet, but they seem to be prevelant for many beekeepers, so I'm also keeping that in mind.
Thanks for the feedback...

[pdmattox]

Not sure of time but I believe 24 hours should be long enough.  I would use garbage bags. 

[Finsky]

Freezing is surely the most expencive way to store frames.
We have so cold here that nothing happens during those 9 months what empty combs are in the store room.

There are surely other ways.

[Cindi]

Do you have a decapping fork?  Or any kind of pointed object?  If you only hve a small amount of brood and you have a little time, why don't you just pick out the brood (freeze first to ensure that they are dead) then store the frames somewhere cool.  If you only have the one hive, you would find that it would not take too long to do that.  That is what I would do.  Cindi

[Finsky]

why don't you just pick out the brood (freeze first to ensure that they are dead)

If there is some brood I let them be in combs. They will dry there and bees clean them later. Freezing is really vain job.
If you leave a frame outdoor on cold wether, birds often come and pick brood from combs.

You may cut brood area and put piece of foundation in the hole and bees reapir the hole. Without foundation they make dronecombs.

[Cindi]

I bet birds would have a hay day cleaning out old brood from a comb.  That is a great idea for winter food to feed our fine feathered friends.  I have not had any combs with dead brood in them to have any dealings with them with storing.  I like to feed the birds in the wintertime, we have quite a few species that live here year round, particularly the black capped chickadee, which I had some frames that I could give them that had dead brood, so they could have a little extra good protein LOL.  Cindi

[Finsky]

If you cut drone combs to catch  mites, you may freeze comb pieces and feed birds in winter.  We have feeded fishes too, but it is not their favorit food.

[Cindi]

Finsky, great idea, the drone infested with mites would make awesome feed and I would love to give this wonderful end to the mites life, whether it is death by freezing or just watching the birds eating the frozen larvae that had mite, looking on with a smile on my face.  But...I have no intention of having ANY mites present next year.  I am on a mission to end this plague to my bees AND I WILL SUCCEED, no if ands or buts.  Great day. Cindi