Uncapped honey/nectar in a deadout - safe to feed?

[tjc1]

One of my deadout hives has quite a few frames of uncapped stores. Should this be cleaned out of the comb or can I keep it until spring to feed to new bees? I am wondering about the possibility of fermentation.

[OldMech]

What caused the deadout? 
   If it was simple starvation, I would not hesitate to feed it to other bees, but if it was for any other reason, Nosema for example, your just asking for trouble..
   As cold as it is there, you should not have to worry about fermentation.

[Michael Bush]

I would give it to another hive.  Sooner is better than later as they will start robbing it when it warms up.

[tjc1]

Since I lost all my hives, I won't be able to use these frames until I get new packages in April - too late to hold onto it? I have the hives closed up and inside (unheated) right now. I sent samples to the USDA lab to check for anything bad.

[Michael Bush]

You can freeze them.  Bees usually don't die over winter from AFB, but you can always examine the brood comb for scale.

[jayj200]

what mike said

[tjc1]

Thanks guys - but do I take that to mean that if I can't freeze them, they won't keep (I'm talking about the uncapped frames - I assume capped honey will be fine)? It will remain generally cool here in Mass. through mid-April when the new bees should arrive... but without freezing, should I clean them out?

[Michael Bush]

Uncapped, even if it's dry enough now, will absorb moisture until it ferments.  Also if it's not frozen or guarded by bees it will eventually get found by ants and wax moths etc.  So I would freeze it if you can.  If not put it on a strong hive, and they will guard it.

[tjc1]

Thanks, Michael - that's kind of what I figured. I lost all my hives so I have no bees to guard it. I guess I'll wash out the uncapped frames when it gets warm enough, and tightly bag up the capped stores in heavy-duty compactor bags until April.