How Old is to Old!!!!!!!

[40 Acre Bees]

How often should one replace comb in the brood boxes.  I have some old comb here that is quite dark and I am not sure if I should give it to my recently captured swarm or let them draw new.  I am also not quite sure about rotating the old out of my other brood boxes.  I would have to replace it with undrawn foundation.  Thanks in Advance..

[Perry]

I think they recommend replacing 20% of your comb every year. Honey supers of course is a different thing altogether. Most keeps I know keep comb a lot longer than that, me included. If it isn't black, and is still in good shape and the comb is good, I will stretch out the time.
One advantage I have selling the nucs that I do is that I have a high comb rotation because of it.

[Bakersdozen]

I have heard recommendations of 5 years or less on brood frames.  The problem is not old, hard, black foundation but with pesticide levels slowly building up in the wax.  Last year I started using a sharpie to date new frames when I install them.   I will know exactly how old my frames are. 
I don't date my honey super frames. 

[brooksbeefarm]

I use bees Wax foundation and do what my old mentors taught me,hold the frame up to the light and if i can see light through it, it's good to go But, if you use that stinky plastic junk that already has chemicals in it? i suppose you would have to replace or scrape the wax off more often. Jack

[Jen]

Agreed Jack   

On old dark comb, I like to press the comb in just a little. If the wax is still somewhat pliable I keep it another season. But if the wax is crumbly then I figure it needs replacing.

And, now that I am learning more about selling nucs this year, I see the advantage of the rotation of frames in my yard.

[lazy shooter]

For What?

lazy

[Perry]

For What?

lazy

[40 Acre Bees]

  Brood Boxes