Packages on old comb

[danameric]

Ok here it goes. I've had 6 dead hives this winter. Some looked to be starvation, others it was tracheal mites (dead bees out front and flying in winter), some with disentary (stained frames on top). As you might suspect, a 2nd year beekeeper makes mistakes. Mine was to go through all the boxes and sort out which had honey, which had drawn comb, and which were half filled frames. Essentially I mixed everything all up before I realized I shouldn't have.

I've ordered new packages. Should I use some frames from the old hives to start them up?? If so how many honey, drawn, and undrawn? I have all 10 frame mediums.

What would you suggest I do to the frames?

So far I've got two plans and am definitly open to suggestions

Plan A is to use 2 or so honey filled frames and 4-5 drawn/partial filled frames and have a couple empties when I install my packages. For treating I was thinking of using my Bt aizwazi and then just before install bleach water. Then I would feed with fumaligin sugar water.

Plan B Make a whole mess of mead and candles

[JBJ]

As long as there is no foul brood the frames should be good to use.

[Fred Bee]

I would use the frames...the bees will get a good start with your previously drawn comb!

[danameric]

I did check for foulbrood before I moved everything. At least I know enough to do that!
What do you guys think then about using the bleach water. I was thinking that would kill any bt so I was going to do it right before my packages arrived. Should I just skip it?

[SlickMick]

:rolleyes: hmmmm. I would definitely make a whole heap of mead ;)

Well perhaps not. If they are disease free use the frames.

[dcross]

I would skip the bleach water, the bt is harmless to bees. As long as you're putting the packages in this spring, you shouldn't need the bt either. I would give one or two frames of honey and 8-9 nicely drawn frames per box for the packages, one box per package. Give them the partially drawn frames in the second box later.

Mark all the frames now so you know what year they were drawn out.

[LenInNorCal]

And how does one store frames that have drawn comb, I mean until the new bees arrive? I see little critters walking around on them! I know I will freeze them for 24 hours to take care of wax moth (saw none but just in case) and I trust that procedure will kill any other critters. But what then? Put them in plastic bags? I was going to scorch them all but have had a change of mind thanks to this forum.
TIA

[Ravenseye]

You can freeze them and put in plastic bags to keep them somewhat protected. I guess I would wonder what kind of little critters are doing the walking around! If your new packages aren't too far off you probably don't have a lot to worry about.