Drawn frame storage?

[rottybee]

Hi, this will be my first attempt at keeping bees so I'll probably have lots of questions.  I have begun building my hives, (two to start with), assembling frames and foundation and such.  Anyway, a friend gave me some frames with drawn comb to use in each of the hive bodies.  Two per hive.  He said it would give the queen a jump start at laying.  How do I store these frames until spring when I get my bees?  Will the cool basement work? 

[doak]

If you have freezer space you can store them there.
If not put them in a brood box/super of the size to suit them, get a package of regular moth balls,
"if the can be bought in your State" and out several in side and seal up with duct tape. Remove two or three days before putting in the hive to air out.
Hope this helps. :)doak

[rottybee]

Is the reason for storing in the freezer to prevent moths from getting to them?  If so wouldn't just storing in a plastic bag be good enough?  I could probably find space in the chest freezer but the wife might not like the idea so much.  :-D

[Scadsobees]

Rottybee,
you can, but you will want to freeze them for a few days first to kill any eggs/larvae that are already there.  I find too that the lack of air movement + moisture will cause some mold, but the bees can clean that up.

PS, don't use regular mothballs.  Naphtha is bad.  PDB, or moth crystals is what you need to use if necessary.

Rick

[doak]

The moth balls I get is the very same thing as Para moth Christal.
Don't know how many different moth balls are made from different stuff.doak

[rottybee]

OK, thanks for the quick responses.  They are in the freeze now.
P.S.  More questions to follow.......