Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: Lastfling on January 05, 2020, 01:31:13 pm

Title: What would you do?
Post by: Lastfling on January 05, 2020, 01:31:13 pm

A little history.  This frame came from a hive that absconded in October.  No brood, no bees just uncapped and capped nectar in upper brood box.  This frame came from the lower box and mice and or a squirrel got to it - this only the half left.  It was set up with wired foundation and the foundation braced with fishing line horizontally.  As you can see the line has been cut/bitten.  I’ve had bees do this, but suspect this was done by whatever took the comb. 

Should I just cut line/ wire and reuse as is;  trash existing foundation and replace; or just start anew period?  Inquiring minds haha.  Possibly use in swarm trap is another option.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200105/a442061652ce377cc6684ab2054f9f75.jpg)


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Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: iddee on January 05, 2020, 01:47:17 pm

As dark as it is, I think I would clean it and install new foundation.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Bakersdozen on January 05, 2020, 03:04:51 pm

I am thinking of mouse urine. Blehhh!  It's dark and I would cut it out and start over with the frame and new wiring.  We should all be culling comb that is 3-5 years old due to residual pesticides.

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Lastfling on January 05, 2020, 03:29:39 pm

I can do that!! Replacing was my first thought, but wanted to run it by those that know way more than me first.

Thanks and Happy New Year to everyone.


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Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Riverrat on January 07, 2020, 04:30:52 pm

I would cut the comb out leaving a row or 2 of cells on top to give the bees A guide to build new comb.  Make sure hive is level and should work fine

Title: Re: What would you do?
Post by: Jen on January 08, 2020, 12:30:44 pm

That is a cool idea RRat! and that frame can be put in the honey super so the bees will make good clean comb for 'cut comb honey'

(https://i.ibb.co/0rXyCF5/cut-combe-honey.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0rXyCF5)