Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: hamptor on April 01, 2015, 01:54:15 pm
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I have 2 frames from 2 different hives I've got questions about.
1. I have a weak hive that died this winter. I was able to shake out almost all the dead bees (starved with heads in cells) but I have 1 frame where I couldn't get them to all to shake out. I put the frame back in the hive when I made a split on the outer edge of the super thinking that the bees would eventually clean it out. They haven't touched it. Also haven't put any pollen or nectar in that frame although they have in lots of others. When you clean a hive from a dead out, do you get all the dead bees out or let them do some of that?
2. I have one frame from another hive that had a blue/gray mold on the outside of the outer most frame. I think some moisture must have gotten to that one at some point - maybe Nosema syrup dripped in late fall or early spring. Should I replace the foundation on that frame or again - see if the bees will clean it out?
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I usually just lightly tap the frame or brush it to get as many bees off or out as I can and then just pop the frame into a strong hive. They will clean it up nicely.
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Yep, both frames will be cleaned when the space is needed.
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hamptor,
like others have said, the bees will clean this up.
question 1 about the dead bees with heads in cells: i gently tap the frame to shake out what i can. the bees take care of the rest. (remove the dead bees, clean and polish the cells).
question 2 about the mold: sometimes i will take a wet warm cloth and remove the mold as best i can off the frame face, and i also scrape any mold off the tops of the frames with a hive tool. the bees take care of the rest....
no need to replace foundation.