[hemichuck]

I just started with 2 hives last year and made a couple of splits and ended up going into winter with 5.I checked the other day and 2 of the hives had frozen/starved out. When I was cleaning out what was left in the hives I noticed that some of the wax in a few of the frames was real dark brown while others were still light colored.What causes this coloration and should I reuse these frames this spring or start over?

 

[Joseph Clemens]

Cocoons and frass left behind by bee larva. Usually the bees have little trouble cleaning up/repairing any comb damage and reusing old combs.

 

[Oldbee]

The coloration is the result of brood being raised in those cells. The cells will get darker with each brood cycle raised. Sometimes if an immature [larva or pupa] bee dies within the cell before it can emerge it causes more darkening than normal; especially in this case with the dead colony. At this point it should be allright to use those frames this spring. The bees will clean out those cells. There are differing ideas as to the exact cause of the darkening.>> http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238181