I seem to get a lot of emails, and see posts occasionally on here, where people burn their equipment because it had wax moths, or small hive beetles, or dysentery. It is sad to hear. I think they have this idea of burning as the solution to SOMETHING and so they apply it when it seems like it might help somehow. There is no reason to burn any equipment unless you had AFB, and I would get a definitive test for AFB. 15 years ago, I would probably settle for just seeing it rope, but between Parafoulbrood and "snotbrood" I would either send it off to Beltsville or do a Holts milk test if you suspect AFB (and ropy brood would be a very good reason to suspect it).
If you get wax moths, freeze the frames if you can. If not, you can scrape all of the wax and moth larvae out. This is not a reason to burn the frames. Maybe if the cocoons have eaten out the end bars to where they are ready to break... but other than that it's not a reason to burn. SHB are a similar issue except they many need to be hoses off and aired out for a while.
I do nothing for dysentery, but if it really worries you, then wash the equipment with bleach water or fumigate with Acetic acid. Don't burn it.
If it's moldy, the next set of bees will clean it up. If it's full of mouse nest and smell, hose it down and let it air out for a week or so...
OK, I'll admit there is ONE other reason, if it's too rotten and no longer repairable, by all means, burn it... but then it's almost ALWAYS repairable...
If you get wax moths, freeze the frames if you can. If not, you can scrape all of the wax and moth larvae out. This is not a reason to burn the frames. Maybe if the cocoons have eaten out the end bars to where they are ready to break... but other than that it's not a reason to burn. SHB are a similar issue except they many need to be hoses off and aired out for a while.
I do nothing for dysentery, but if it really worries you, then wash the equipment with bleach water or fumigate with Acetic acid. Don't burn it.
If it's moldy, the next set of bees will clean it up. If it's full of mouse nest and smell, hose it down and let it air out for a week or so...
OK, I'll admit there is ONE other reason, if it's too rotten and no longer repairable, by all means, burn it... but then it's almost ALWAYS repairable...