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Author Topic: Using older comb  (Read 3131 times)

Offline Waveeater

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Using older comb
« on: January 28, 2018, 05:49:56 pm »
I was recently given a few boxes with frames of foundation and pulled comb. The man who gave them to me said that he tried for two years to raise bees, but failed both times. When I picked them up I noticed they were full of wax moth larve. All were dead but there was hundred in each box. I cleaned everything up. This equipment is probably 3 years old.

My question is would it be ok to use the pulled comb that was left unaffected by the moths. It seems brittle but it is still cold out. I figured I could at least use it in swarm traps.

Any reason not to use the frames?  Some are eaten up pretty good but still in good shape.

Offline Dallasbeek

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2018, 05:59:13 pm »
Frames should be okay, but combs maybe not so good.
"Liberty lives in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no laws, no court can save it." - Judge Learned Hand, 1944

Offline eltalia

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2018, 07:37:49 pm »
@Waveeater wrote in part:
"Any reason not to use the frames?  Some are eaten up pretty good but still in good shape. "

Given the time out of service it may pay to check the construction is still
good to go.... nails/screws/staples are good and joint adhesive is not
broken down. All of this goes to lifting fully capped fat frames... one does
not need frames self destructing over a working super/broodchamber.
Take that to the Bank :-)
Where the WM danage is extensive check the bars with low pressure
air as WM is known to burrow along bars in some timbers. Frames look
good but are in fact of no use as they are. There are a number of ways to
 repair these, I use "blowfoam" .... 'cos I am inherently lazy woodworker.

The drawn comb will be fine too as bees will soon work that out.
What would concern me initially is what caused the original deadout.
That story might be worth hearing in respect of what you use of the comb..?

Bill

Offline iddee

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2018, 07:43:53 pm »
I would use it. If you have doubts, take it by your local bee supply house and ask their opinion, as they can see and evaluate it.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

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Offline Waveeater

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2018, 10:50:22 pm »
It appears that he purchased a package and placed it into two deeps and two mediums. It appears to me that the hive was to weak to support that much room but I don't know for sure. Most of the frames still look to be solid.

Offline little john

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2018, 06:14:07 am »
Using second-hand equipment is (always) something of a gamble, as you don't know for sure why those colonies died - and as a beginner the previous owner probably doesn't know for sure either.

If it were me, I'd remove as much comb from the frames as possible by hand, take them indoors to warm up (or gently use a hot air gun) then scrape as much wax off the wood as possible.  Then run a propane torch lightly over the wood, just enough to kill any 'nasties' which may still be present.  Make sure you have a tub of water handy, just in case any remaining traces of wax should ignite - after which those frames should then be 'good to go'.  While the torch was lit, I'd take the opportunity of flaming the inside of the boxes as well.

The above may well be overkill, but personally I'd rather do that than take chances for the sake of saving a relatively small amount of money.
LJ
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Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2018, 07:21:08 am »
Take some closeup pictures of the comb, looking down into the comb and post them here so that we can see.
It really sounds like the bees had too large of an area to protect. Did he give the bees drawn comb in those boxes?
Jim
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Offline Acebird

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2018, 08:29:18 am »
Inspect the comb for signs of AFB.  If you see no signs then clean out the frames with WM damage and replace the foundation if you are using it. then freeze all the combs for 3 days.  Do not mix this equipment with your other hives until you can successfully overwinter a hive with this equipment.  Anything that you add to this hive should also be quarantined.
From the sound of this story the original owner did not want to invest any time in learning what it takes to be successful.  That is almost a given that you won't.
Brian Cardinal
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Offline Waveeater

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2018, 11:42:52 am »
I will try the photo's. I have had problems using my Iphone and adding them. Seems the file is to big. He used new foundation. The Bees pulled much of it but one box was still new foundation that they never worked on. the comb that the moths did not destroy looks good to me other than being brittle.

Offline Acebird

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2018, 01:02:39 pm »
the comb that the moths did not destroy looks good to me other than being brittle.
Don't worry about brittle it is a function of temperature.
Size of photos is limited.  I find it easier to post a link to some other photo hosting site.
Brian Cardinal
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Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2018, 04:34:16 pm »
Waveater,
Thake the pictures and then email them to yourself. When it asks for the size, pick the smallest. Delete the original photos or rename them. Then open the email and save them. Then add them one at a time.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline iddee

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2018, 05:37:21 pm »
Waveater, the frames are fine. Use them.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

*Shel Silverstein*

Offline eltalia

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2018, 05:56:08 pm »
It appears that he purchased a package and placed it into two deeps and two mediums. It appears to me that the hive was to weak to support that much room but I don't know for sure. Most of the frames still look to be solid.

Reads as typical newbee excuberance over "sounded like a good idea,
this beekeeping gig"
Check the woodwork for good and chuck the frames into a new
startup colony.

Bill

Offline Acebird

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2018, 09:15:06 pm »
Waveater,
Thake the pictures and then email them to yourself.

I tried this Jim.  Doesn't work with my email software.  No option to resize.
Brian Cardinal
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Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2018, 07:27:44 am »
Waveater,
Thake the pictures and then email them to yourself.

I tried this Jim.  Doesn't work with my email software.  No option to resize.
Brian,
Which phone do you have?
I have a iPhone 8.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline Acebird

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2018, 08:18:33 am »
He,he,he I have a contractors phone ... the one you flip open.  It takes good pictures but I can't see what it takes until they are uploaded to my computer.
Brian Cardinal
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Offline Waveeater

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2018, 03:33:19 pm »
photo of old comb.

Offline eltalia

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2018, 04:05:19 pm »
photo of old comb.

Where that degree is the worst infestation of WM you ever see
then think yourself lucky. YOU got yourself a bargain ;-)

Bill

Offline Acebird

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2018, 05:28:22 pm »
Isn't that hive beetle.  Doesn't look like brood comb.
Brian Cardinal
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Offline Waveeater

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2018, 07:04:57 pm »
No that Is small holes. There's a dark colored  board laying under the comb. The comb is actually fairly clean. I'm sorry the picture is not more clear.

Offline Waveeater

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2018, 07:06:46 pm »
By the way, for beekeepers in my area. I noticed Saturday when it warmed up the bees were bringing in loads of pollen, come on warm weather!

Offline eltalia

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Re: Using older comb
« Reply #21 on: January 30, 2018, 07:31:24 pm »

Isn't that hive beetle.  Doesn't look like brood comb.

welllllll now.... THAT seals the deal, so to speak.
Newbees also can now dismiss ramblings from your desk in followups.
For your edification Bro' that there is a combination of WM anchor
weavings and WM dung.. on foundation sheet. It can happen in loose
wrapped stacks of new foundation left stored, still "safe" to use
regardless.
Hoping that helps ya out, my man.

Bill