I have a friend that has given me his old hives and a couple of supers = full of honey. He has kept the honey in a refrigerator since last = winter when found that his bees were dead. The wax in the Brood chamber = is black. He says the bees just froze due to a cold winter. He did not = wrap the hive. They did not starve (one full super of honey). =20 How can I check or have it check for diseases before I put the honey on = one of my hives that needs feeding. I have gotten three swarms in the = last week. Yes I know I need to read the chapter on swarm prevention. = = = = = = = =20 I have checked two hives that have no brood. There are about ten queen = cells in each hive. In one a the queen has emerged and I think I saw = her in the hive. How long does it take a newly emerged queen to begin = laying? =20 What causes black wax in supers? Thanks, Cullin Hall 402 N. Holland St. Dallas, NC 28034 (704) 922-6953 Email [log in to unmask]