Reusing comb saves the bees time and energy compared to drawing out new foundation. However it’s a good idea to sterilise comb before reuse.
Acetic acid can be used in late autumn or winter to sterilise combs against Nosema, chalkbrood and wax moth but it’s better to burn particularly blackened brood comb.
What about super comb?
It is considered that fumigating super comb with acetic acid has benefits in reducing the disease incidence of Nosema within a colony. Otherwise, one alternative is to render down super comb and exchange it for foundation.
How do I fumigate using acetic acid?
You will require 80% acetic acid and absorbent pads. The acid must be treated with care; it will burn the skin off your hands or anywhere else that it comes into contact with. It attacks concrete and corrodes metal hive parts. You must take proper safety precautions and use suitable protective clothing and containers when handling it.
- IScrape the wooden frames to clean off propolis and other excess material. Clean out the relevant brood box or super, coat any exposed metal parts with Vaseline and replace the combs in the box.
- Begin treatment by stacking the brood and/or super boxes containing combs to be sterilised on a solid surface such as a board or solid hive floor. It is also important to block off hive entrances, as acetic acid fumes are heavier than air and will travel from the top to the base of the stack, leaking out of any gaps or holes at the bottom.
- Place a non-metallic dish (saucer or similar container) on the top of the frames of the top box.
- Very carefully, put 80% acetic acid into the dish, allowing 120ml acetic acid per box (e.g. 600ml would therefore treat 5 boxes).
- Place an empty hive box on the top of the stack, closing off the empty box on top with a crown board and hive roof. Seal any joints between the boxes with wide adhesive tape to stop fumes escaping.
- After a week the stack can be opened, and the boxes aired for at least two days before using.
- Acetic acid does not affect food stores, but any honey should be returned to the same colony from where it was taken.
Reproduced with permission.
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National Bee Unit
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 