>
> A friend here in Buffalo who keeps a few hives lost all of his bees last
> winter to what he believes were ear mites. He did not use the hives this
> year 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
> and (b) of any possible remaining mites. (I assume that the latter left with
> the bees, but there may be some related problem that requires a particular
> kind of cleaning.)
>
> Guy is a beginning beekeeper (and I am even less knowledgeable) so any help
> you can give us will be very much appreciated.
>
> I guess I have missed asking one more thing. How can he prevent or at least
> lessen the chance of reinfection of his hive?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> -----------------------------------------------
> Gerry Rising                    [log in to unmask]
> 295 Robinhill Drive     [log in to unmask]
> Williamsville, NY 14221-1639            716-689-8301
> -----------------------------------------------
There is a simple and reliable solution to this problem if all the bees
have gone.
 
1. Remove any old comb from the frames (it's almost impossible to
sterilise this so it's not worth the risk of keeping it)
 
2. Scorch the inside of the hive and all the frames with a blow torch
(the kind that is used for stripping paint), this will kill the mould
and any mites.
 
3. Use new foundation to retart next year.
 
PS. What are ear mites? I've never heard of them in the UK.
--
M J E Mayhew
Rugby Beekeepers
England