Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: samsungpizza on January 15, 2013, 11:53:39 am

Title: Dead bee removal
Post by: samsungpizza on January 15, 2013, 11:53:39 am
We had a nice day and I checked on my bees. I found one weak hive dead. How do I remove the dead bees from cells, or do I toss the frames? Thanks.
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: bailey on January 15, 2013, 12:14:13 pm
If they are head first in the cells I know of 3 ways.  Tweezers. ( a pain in the butt).   Allowing the bees to dry out then blow across the comb with low pressure air.  Or wash them out with garden hose.  ( or a combination
Of these methods.   Also try shaking them out before anything else.   Especially after using garden hose method.

Or cut out the affected comb and leave the rest if all else fails. 
Bailey
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: Finski on January 15, 2013, 12:19:18 pm
-
Often I put the frame to hang out and small birds clean the combs in winter
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: bailey on January 15, 2013, 12:22:53 pm
Oh. I like that finski!!    We have little wrens here that love when I put out brood comb from cut outs. 
Bailey
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: samsungpizza on January 15, 2013, 12:38:21 pm
Wow you guys are quick! I raise chickens. I guess they will have a feast later. Many thanks.
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: CapnChkn on January 22, 2013, 07:08:50 pm
Ha!  I've thrown dead bees and drones in front of the chickens, and they just look at me like, "Whatchu think I am?"
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: tefer2 on January 22, 2013, 07:48:51 pm
I'll go with Finski's idea. In fact I will try his method myself too. X:X
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 22, 2013, 08:56:11 pm
I just thump the frame to dislodge what can..then place the frame back in a strong hive to let the bees clean'em out. Drawn comb is too valuable to me to let chickens scratch to pieces.
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: hardwood on January 22, 2013, 09:10:09 pm
Ditto here K-9

Scott
Title: Re: Dead bee removal
Post by: AllenF on January 22, 2013, 09:21:55 pm
I always let the bees clean up the frames.  They can clean and polish better than we can.