Much had been written about the effects of treating comb from 'CCD' colonies 
before restocking.  But can we really deduce anything fom this?

Surely, if a colony dies out from any cause, then it is likely that the 
combs will have some level of contamination?  Various pathogens can be found 
even on combs from 'healthy' colonies.  So removing this must have a 
beneficial effect, should it not?

In the UK, it has always been good practice to sterilise empty comb by 
fumigating with 80% acetic acid before restocking any hive that has died 
out.

Best wishes

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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