Hi, I discovered last weekend the bees have swarmed. Being a new keeper/learner just looking for help and advice. There were slugs in the hive with the remaining frames in the brood starting to look mouldy.
Do I have to replace the frames or do I attempt to put new foundation or remove and leave empty?
Hi, I’m no expert but i think I’d ditch the old frames. Replacements are cheap online. I’ve bought frames from the ‘beestore’ recently & they were, by memory only $2 each (i am assuming you’re in Australia). I’d dismantle the hive and put it in the sun. That’s what I’d do, but am no expert. Mine swarmed last year but left sufficient bees behind to allow me to requeen then off i went again!
I have a question for @Paulemma . When did the colony swarm? The reason for my question is because I can’t get my head around a colony swarming recently in the UK, seeing as you’re only weeks away from winter.
Can you share some photos of the affected frames? We love to see photos, because it’s so much easier to answer questions when photos are attached.
Also welcome to the forum.