[southeastflorida]

I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

I snap out the old plastic brood foundation and put new plastic in, but can't help but think,
I am inoculation some nasty chemical, or biological elements, besides the obvious like foulbrood,
when I reuse the wood frames, with all that super dark, wax.

I've heard people here say, don't worry about it, they love that dark brood wax stuff with the burnt smell.

On the honey frames I reuse the plastic foundation too, wax is fresh, not dark.

 

[Santa Caras]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Saw a video on Youtube of FATBEEMAN and his old frames. He dips the frames in a bucket of bleach and water and lets em soak and clean for awhile. Come out lookin just about new and clean as a whistle. I'm sure it's also killing anything detrimental to a hive with the bleach. Just a thought before you go snapping the new foundation in a dirty frame.

 

[CessnaGirl]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

We've thrown them in the pool for a half day, flip, half day, then sun 'til dry. Sun deactivates bleach, too. Easy peasy. You can also put them in big net laundry or scuba gear bags first for easier removal and weigh them down with a brick if you don't want to "flip." I've done it both ways. Hot tub works, too.

 

[Nabber86]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

.... but can't help but think, I am inoculation some nasty chemical, or biological elements, besides the obvious like foulbrood, when I reuse the wood frames, with all that super dark, wax.

Inoculation with what nasty chemical or biological elements? What makes you think that these things are present in your hives to start with?

 

[bugmeister]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Folks, so I am hearing soaking moldy frames and comb in a bleach solution A-OK thoroughly dried? Do you rinse with fresh water before drying? Have you noticed bees preferring other comb in same hive or no problem? Thanks

 

[southeastflorida]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Inoculation with what nasty chemical or biological elements? What makes you think that these things are present in your hives to start with?

varroa, light insecticide buildup, nosemia, or other non desirables.

 

[UTvolshype]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Are you losing queens in your hives? Slow build up? Too much drone comb? Then I would start replacing frames with new ones. I guess everybody needs a replacement schedule for their frames and wax just for good beekeeping practices.

 

[southeastflorida]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Are you losing queens in your hives? Slow build up? Too much drone comb? Then I would start replacing frames with new ones. I guess everybody needs a replacement schedule for their frames and wax just for good beekeeping practices.

yes, but OK to reuse wood?

 

[Michael Bush]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

>Varroa

Varroa leave no residue.

>light insecticide buildup

Hard to measure, but most of the insecticides found in bee colonies are by far the ones that were relabeled as acaracides and put in by the beekeepers.

>nosemia

Nosema spores are not that long lived.

> or other non desirables.

Unless they had some brood disease there is unlikely to be any other non-desirables.

I never swap out old comb. Brood comb quickly becomes black from cocoons. It's what brood comb is like...

 

[southeastflorida]

Re: I scrape and reuse the wood frames - I must be introducing some "toxic" elements?

Thanks Michael,
You are a great resource here, use concise outline format, and really take the time to inform us green horns.