I would like to try beekeeping, but the 5 supers I got look odd, is it AFB?
The hive is old and has been stored in an old shed, damp, etc. Most of the old honey-comb on the slides is falling apart, and is black. This is in both the honey and brood supers. Could this blackening be the result of long being exposed to dampness and bugs, or is it AFB? I tried peering inside some brood cells, but as the slide is so old any AFB soup would have dried up and so I can’t tell, help!
Because the supers are old with no brood in them, iot will be impossible to tell if it is AFB without doing a lab test. For any new beekeeper, I would recommend not using 2nd hand hives or supers unless they are from a trustworthy source who can tell you their history – the disease risk is just too high. By the sound of it, the supers you got should not be used at all.
You can buy new equipment relatively cheap, or even better build your own hive. Or get in touch with your local association – they’ll point you in the right direction.
http://www.BestBeekeeping.com
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