--- [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Depends what they died of.  It is safest to assume
> that they died of something noxious and virulent
that will persist on the combs. If you act on this
assumption there will be no danger of the next
occupants suffering the same fate.
>
> Take everything out of the boxes and scorch the
insides with a blow torch.  Take everything out of the
frames.  Burn or bury everything > else.  The frames
can be cleaned with caustic soda or scraped and
scorched before re-use.

> Be of good cheer, swarms will be along soon.
>
> Chris
>
>>  I think what Chris was referring to (something
noxious and virulent) was American Foulbrood.  I agree
with what he has said except: "The frames can be
cleaned with caustic soda or scraped and scorched
before re-use."  You can't decontaminate AFB from
frames by cleaning with caustic soda.  About the only
way to decontaminate the frames is by hard radiation
as found in cancer treatment centers.  Up until very
recently the ascribed method of handling frames
contaminated with AFB was to burn the frames, honey,
wax, bees, and all.
>>  if you can determine that the bees died out from
something other than AFB then I will restate my
opinion that the equipment can be used as is and that
the new colony will clean everything up spick and
span.

Mike
Located 1/2 way between Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama



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