Hi Bill:
A mild Clorox solution works wonders with some stains and mildews. Clean
them first. (scrape all loose wax etc. off) Then dip and soak them for a
few minutes. Let them dry in the sun, it will bleach the wood somewhat
and evaporate the chlorine in the wood. Wait a few days before using
them.
 
Bob Neely
Goose Creek, SC USA
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On Sat, 17 May 1997 15:25:30 -0700 Bill Truesdell <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>Well, not maybe rotten, but covered with mildew and other black stuff.
>My dumb question is how bad is bad enough to get rid of a brood frame
>and start with new wood? Some frames are mildewed pretty bad on one
>end
>because of water damage this past winter where they were stored in a
>barn. I cannot get rid of the black in the wood without sanding them
>down
>I noticed in commercial hives most of the wood did not have the dark
>stain associated with mildew, dysentary or nosema. Do they bother to
>clean old frames that show dark stain?
>I replaced the "dirty" brood frames (seven years old) in one brood box
>in each hive with new wood last year and did not lose a hive. Plus had
>no dysentary or other problems this winter. The bees were tested and
>no
>tracheal mites were found. I feel like the best route is to get rid of
>the frames that do not come clean, but that seems a bit wasteful. I
>would appreciate your insight.
>Bill Truesdell
>Bath, ME
>