Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: StarrGin on March 08, 2013, 01:34:28 pm

Title: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: StarrGin on March 08, 2013, 01:34:28 pm

Bees abandond my hive last summer.  Wax moths moved in.  I've scraped down most of the hive and kept the mice evicted over the winter.  I hope to put in a package this spring.

Other than some additional scraping and brushing.  Is there anything I should do to clean the hive before package install?

I have thought about brushing it down with a little peppermint soap, giving it a quick dunk to rinse and toweling dry.

Suggestions appreciated.

Title: Re: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: Vance G on March 08, 2013, 01:47:35 pm

What did the wax moths leave of your frames?  If they are plastic, scrape the damaged comb off and scrape the cocoons off the woodware and shake a package in or install a nuc.  Press combs tightly together and let the bees do the rest. 

Title: Re: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: hardwood on March 08, 2013, 05:48:48 pm

Pf you're using plastic foundation you might have to give it a coat of wax.

Scott

Title: Re: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: RayMarler on March 08, 2013, 06:43:52 pm

I do not think the bees would appreciate the peppermint soap smell. Just scrape and brush and install your package. The bees will clean it up even better to suit their needs as they build it into their hive.

Title: Re: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: bud1 on March 08, 2013, 07:54:59 pm

like scott says if you have plastic foundation re wax

Title: Re: Cleaing Abandond Hive
Post by: StarrGin on March 09, 2013, 11:59:15 am

Thanks for the replies.  Some where I thought I had read about spraying around a bait hive with a dilution of peppermint oil as an attraction.
I'll stick with the the brushing an waxing.