Old hives

[mkalev]

Question: I just inherited some old hives, 10 plus years left unattended. They have 4 supers full of honey on two brood boxes.
The combs are all stuck together inseparably and the frames break apart when you try to do anything with them. There are a few beetles in two but most have none. There are hundreds of larvae - white worm things the size of a bee and the worm/weavil thong they become throughout the hive.
I have moved them, looked in them and replaced the top at this point.
Would appreciate and advice on how to deal with this.
There are lots of bees and they are aggressive.
Thanks

and my experince level is amateur to journeymen level if that matters.

[Rohe Bee Ranch]

First check them for American Foulbrood or better yet have your State Apiarist check them. Old unattended hives may have lots of hidden problems. And if they have AFB that is untreatable they will probably have to be destroyed.

If they are healthy, then migrate them to new woodenware. You can use a piece of strong wire to cut/separate the supers and hive bodies. One of those thin cable PVC Pipe cutters (like a garrote) work great for this. Put the new woodenware on top of the old. You could also systematically replace the old frames of comb with new ones filled with new foundation. Keep enough honey on them so they don't starve.

[G3farms]

sounds like you are describing wax worms to me.

I agree you need someone to get in there with you and identify what problems (if any) you have.

If you don't know of anyone close then try the local bee club.

G3

[Rohe Bee Ranch]

I just noticed that you are in Auburn, AL. There are 3 beekeeping associations near you. Go to the Madison County Beekeepers Association website (http://www.alabees.com) and click on the Alabama Beekeepers Associations link on the right side of the page (http://k4vb.com/REg%20bkpeg%20assoc%2012%2006%20v3.htm and you can find the listing there. Our State Apiarist, Dennis Barclift, can also help you with inspecting your colonies.

Dennis Barclift
State Apiarist
Dept. of Ag. & Industries
PO Box 3336
Montgomery, AL 36109-0336
Phone (334) 240-7225
Fax (334) 240-7168
Email dennis.barclift@agri.alabama.gov