Kevin & Ann Christensen wrote:
>
>
>         For chalkbrood and nosema control, and to promote general good health
> in our hives, we have been getting more diligent in our brood comb
> replacement. We've been replacing 2-4 frames per brood nest every year with
> the hope of maintaining a 6 year rotation of comb in the brood chambers.  We
> feel that old frames harbor the spores which cause these unhealthy colonies.
>
>         When your doing this to 2000+ hives, it requires lots of effort.
> Because of this, I'd like to know if there is any scientific validity to my
> argument.  Are we wasting our time?  Is anybody else doing this?  I'd
> appreciate your comments.
>
 
I believe comb recycling is a very important health control measure.  This measure is part of my
personal disease prevention program together with regular brood inspection and selection for
hygienic behaviour.  So far I have not used drugs for AFB control in my standard colonies
(+-600).  I cannot say that AFB is non existant but so far it is kept under control easily.
 
One additionnal remark on comb recycling.  I am in the process of converting my business to whole
plastics frames.  Plastic frames make comb recycling a lot cheaper and easier.  The old comb is
scraped off.  It is much easier to melt bulk wax that it is to melt whole frames.  The scraped
frame can be put back in the hive with no preparation and no extra cost (no foundation to buy).
All this should encourage more frequent replacement of the brood combs. Plastic frames can be
easily desinfected with chlorine ("eau de javel") if one want.  This way frames of diseased
colonies are not lost.
 
 
--
Jean-Pierre Chapleau
eleveur de reines / queen breeder
1282, rang 8, Saint-Adrien de Ham, Quebec, Canada, J0A 1C0
tel./phone (819) 828-3396; fax (819) 828-0357
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