Re-populating hive using last years comb and honey - questions

Patrick · February 13, 2007, 01:49:30 PM

Hi,
I am planning to re-start a hive that died off last year. I am not 100% sure why the hive died off but they had a rough time all summer getting their numbers up, suffered some robbing, by fall some minor moth damage, and then vacated. I know I can use the old comb again (8 frames of brood) and I have a few frames of honey (tainted with the menthol from mite treatment), but should I; since I do not know the reason for the failure? I have frozen all the frames. What clues can I look for in the old frames to tell me if there is some reason I may not want to use them again?

Cheers,
Patrick

Michael Bush · February 13, 2007, 07:48:01 PM

I reuse them all the time. Not a problem. There are those who think you shouldn't. I think they help sell a lot of equipment.

Kirk-o · February 13, 2007, 11:12:37 PM

Hi Patrick
I would use the wodden ware but if I wasn't sure what killed them I would use new foundation.Get rid of the combs maybe give the honey back to the bees
kirk-o

Michael Bush · February 14, 2007, 07:33:59 AM

I should point out, however, I don't use any chemicals that would build up in the wax. If I did, I'd seriously consider rotating all the comb out often and probably wouldn't reuse the comb from a deadout.

Finsky · February 14, 2007, 12:39:02 PM

The only bad disease is AFB. If it appers, you may move bees to foundation frames and you get rid off AFB and then destroy old combs and sterilize with gas flame wooden hive parts.

If you notice even one cell which have tiny hole in cap and coffee like slime inside, it is AFB and then it is time to react. First you may give antibiot that it keeps disease down and then execute moving to foundations or you may let bees themself to fly to foundation hive.

DBoire · February 14, 2007, 03:14:36 PM

Quote from: Finsky on February 14, 2007, 12:39:02 PM

The only bad disease is AFB. If it appers, you may move bees to foundation frames and you get rid off AFB and then destroy old combs and sterilize with gas flame wooden hive parts.

If you notice even one cell which have tiny hole in cap and coffee like slime inside, it is AFB and then it is time to react. First you may give antibiot that it keeps disease down and then execute moving to foundations or you may let bees themself to fly to foundation hive.

Also can do the rope test

D

Finsky · February 14, 2007, 03:36:52 PM

Quote from: DBoire on February 14, 2007, 03:14:36 PM

Also can do the rope test

It is normal to use old combs, but watch this

rope test

This is warning

Patrick · February 14, 2007, 09:52:19 PM

Ok, thanks for the info. The only "chemical" I used was Apiguard, the thymol stuff, so I think I am ok there?

Cheers,
Patrick

Michael Bush · February 14, 2007, 10:36:55 PM

>Ok, thanks for the info. The only "chemical" I used was Apiguard, the thymol stuff, so I think I am ok there?

I don't think it will cause any long term effects. Thymol is quite volatile.

limyw · February 15, 2007, 11:41:41 AM

Old comb is harmful to bee if bacterium accumulated after long usage. It turn very thick and heavy so more difficult to handle. I am more prefer to cut away old comb but reuse the wooden frame. The easier way is boil them after the wax is removed.