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!
Black dried and hardened debris is the sign of Foulbrood. If the comb hasn’t been used in a long time, it most likely has some mold on it (especially if there was any honey left in the cells when stored). If the cells look fine except for being black (none of that dried debris), this is probably the case. You still shouldn’t use any of this equipment, unless you risk disease and bad honey. The supers and hive bodies may (emphasis on may) be used with new frames if they are in decent condition, but there is still a risk of disease. If you can, ask the previous owner. If they stopped using the hive because of the death of the colony, don’t use it.
Backyard Beekeeper by Jim Flottum
Report Spam/Abuse