AFB and old wax

[Bill Ruble]

I want to purchase some wax to melt down and dip my permacomb into as MB has said he does to get small cell.

My question is, can I get AFB from the comb if it has been melted down and strained? I have no idea where the wax came from.

Bill

[Sundance]

yes, yes, and yes

[Sundance]

and did I say yes??

[Bill Ruble]

ok, then if that is so, then how does the companies that sell foundation keep from spreading the AFB?????????????

[Ian]

Gama radiation treatment is commonly used. Kills all AFB,

[George Fergusson]

For what it's worth, Dee Lusby feels that properly rendered wax from AFB infected hives is perfectly suitable for use in hives and as foundation. Does it all the time, which is not to imply she has AFB in her hives all the time.

When I spoke to her about it recently, she mentioned holding it at 190 degrees F for a time in a hot water bath. She maintains that any AFB spores are embedded in the wax and that the bees don't eat the wax, they chew it and that miniscule amounts of AFB spores accidentally ingested by bees isn't a problem, as compared to AFB spores coming in contact with larva and mite-infested brood that are being chewed on. I didn't get into further discussion about it with her and I don't bring this up as a policy that I personally can or intend to defend. I just thought another perspective on this issue was worthwile voicing.

George-

[Bill Ruble]

Cant you kill AFB by heating the was enough?

[Patrick Scannell]

Why not get paraffin?

[Sundance]

Where does one find gamma radiation facilities??

[Bill Ruble]

Good question Sundance. I am not a rocket scintest!!!

I still have not gotten any reply on if the bees accept paraffin yet. Anyone ever tried this?

[Michael Bush]

>Cant you kill AFB by heating the was enough?

I don't have exact numbers in front of me but if you heat the wax up around 200 or 300 F for a short time it will kill the spores, as I understand it. Plus wax is not a very likely source for infection.