> and now he has a different problem. They are covered -- inside -- with
> a white mold.
>
> Can anyone give me some guidance about how to rid this hive (a) of the mold
 
Many people in our area of  UK  sterilise  spare  equipment  during  the
winter  using  acetic  acid,  which  is  good  for killing most pests --
bacteria, fungi, wax moth and so on.
 
We use the acetic acid at 80% glacial strength (from a chemist/pharmacy)
so  wants handling with some care -- heavy rubber gloves are recommended
and try not to breath the fumes.
 
Place an absorbent pad (I use paper kitchen towel) at about each foot of
height  in a stack of hives and soak the pad with a little acid (1 oz?).
Leaving for a few days is quite sufficient to kill just about all  pests
(I'm  not  sure  about  AFB  spores),  then  you  can open the boxes and
ventilate just about any time you want.  I'm *told* it  even  penetrates
cappings and can kill pests inside as well.
 
One other thing.  Although acetic acid doesn't harm wood or wax,  it  is
quite  corrosive  to some metals so keep an eye on frame runners & frame
wire.
 
--
Gordon Scott            [log in to unmask]
Basingstoke Beekeeper   [log in to unmask]
                        Compuserve 100332,3310
 
Just because it's in black and white doesn't mean to say it's right!