View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
mal Nurse Bee
Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Rutland, Leicestershire, UK
|
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 4:27 pm Post subject: Reuse comb that bees died in through starvation |
|
|
Hi,
One of my hives starved out over the winter [based on there being absolutely no stores and one big pile of bees in hive] and I have just gone to clean it out in the hope of repopulating with swarm/split from one of my other hives in a few weeks. Unexpectedly (for me) the carcasses still massed in the comb cells were not bone dry and there is mould and a lot of broken bodies in 3 of the combs. I have currently opened spaces between bars in order that it dries out, but should I ditch these combs or leave them for new bees to clean up ?
There are poss 5 combs pretty much clean - thanks for the advice.
[img]https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPQlkCwgPwWlhC1dgtQI-rK6PIvdCHKMf8Wwa0P/photo/AF1QipOjJvv83eEOb0PPyNGTbM-SK_YVUzWrV2qxZLdm?key=CK_P453IheGTbw[/img] |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
trekmate Golden Bee

Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 1137 Location: UK, North Yorkshire, Bentham
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
I can't get the link to work, but starved bees have their heads deep in the cells. If that's the case you should be OK to re-use the combs. The new bees will clean anything out they don't want, so don't try to make them too pristine - you may do more harm than good!
John |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mal Nurse Bee
Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 46 Location: Rutland, Leicestershire, UK
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi John.
Yes that is the situation - bees head first deep in the cells.
This was a first year colony from a swarm so it would be shame if a new swarm is unable to build on last yrs efforts.
Thanks for the advice - will leave comb it as is, just with debris shake off cleaned out of the hive. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Barbara Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Posts: 1857 Location: England/Co.Durham/Ebchester
|
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 3:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
For what it is worth I agree. If this was a feral colony there would be no beekeeper to clean it up for them, and it is much easier work for them to clean it up and remove the dead bees (even mouldy dead bees) than it is for them to build new comb from scratch. I've seen bees clean up some pretty shockingly mouldy combs before. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Quality Top Bar Hives by Andrew Vidler
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - Reuse comb that bees died in through starvation - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|