Have just taken the insulation off of our hives yesterday.  Found one hive
to have been abandoned, apparently early last fall after honey extraction.
There was approximately 80 lbs. of honey in the abandoned hive.  There were
no dead bees or disease to be found in this hive.  (number of dead bees found=
50).  We have decided to extract this honey, however, the wax cappings seem
to be covered by a greyish film (mildew?)  There is no foul smell or smell of
mildew.  Does anyone know what this is?  Do you think we can still safely
extract the honey.  Some of the honey is still liquid (quite a lot of it)
despite -40 degrees F. this winter.
Lucy Cronin
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