[Denon Carpenter]

Checked my hives yesterday and had 3 mice moved in to the bottom box. They ate through half the foundation to build there nest. I removed the box and reinstalled the mouseguard.

Should I destroy the frames. I was going to get rid of the foundation on them, was wondering if any diseases from the mice could stick around and cause problems with my bees if I was going to reuse the frames or box this spring/summer.

This is my first mouse infestation. Just checking.

 

[MichelinMan]

First mouse? Hope you don't get a second, and a third...

I can't answer your question directly, not having had that experience, but I can say that I have seen pictures of mouse damage and it's not pretty. I have also seen pictures of a mouse completely covered and sealed with propolis still in the hive. This tells me that if the bees were able to survive despite the mouse's decaying presence, I would think re-using the frames would be OK. But why chance it? I mean what are we talking about here? A few bucks worth of frames and foundation! I would junk the damaged goods and start them up on new material. Just my opinion.

Luc

 

[garys520]

I also had mouse damage to one of my hives. The ten mice in the hive ate or damaged the whole bottom deep. In my case the smell of urine alone was enough to make me throw every frame in the lower box away and scrub the bottom board and stained wood with soapy bleach. I'm going to use metal mouse guards on every box next year.

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af49/garys520/Mouse Damage/IMG_1043.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af49/garys520/Mouse Damage/IMG_1044.jpg