>My beehive was slow to start this year. I requeened a few weeks ago, but this didn't seem to help. Today I went to check the hive and found
1) No bees
2) large Ants - mostly on inner cover where sugar syrup had spilled, but some on the frames.
Sounds like the ants drove them out. Probably drawn by the sugar syrup.
>Is there anything I can use to get rid of the ants?
Do a search on ants. There have been hundreds of discussions.
>Also, is it ok to treat the combs with PDB? Instructions for PDB say not for use on combs containing honey, but does that just mean honey for human comsumption?
PDB will kill bees. If it gets into the honey the honey will kill bees. I wouldn't (and never do) use it at all, but if you do use it, follow the directions. They are not just the law, they are a good idea.