Very old drawn comb - useable?

[toby6668]

Hi folks, I am a newbie bee-keeper and have 2 colonies. The first is now settled in a brand new hive that I bought from Thornes. The second colony was from a swarm that was collected by a friend. They are currently still in a nuc but I want to transfer them into a full sized broodbox soon because they seem very strong and are feeding fast. I have just bought a load of second hand hives and stuff from a bee-keeper who gave up approx 20 years ago. The hives are in really good condition but will need cleaning up and torching before I can use them. There are also lots of super frames with drawn foundation on which leads to my question. Will it be ok to use these drawn frames straight away (to save the bees from having to draw out from new foundation) or am I risking bringing disease into the colony? Thank in advance for any help and advice. Toby

[toby6668]

Should read 'drawn' comb!

[pigletwillie]

I have always been taught that good practice dictates that brood comb is replaced every four or five years. Twenty year old comb might be harbouring all manner of nasties.

[toby6668]

I have always been taught that good practice dictates that brood comb is replaced every four or five years. Twenty year old comb might be harbouring all manner of nasties.

Better safe than sorry I guess - thank you. I'll dump the old comb and torch everything that I use.

[pigletwillie]

I think you may well pat your self on the back later for playing safe.

[Madasafish]

I have been foundationless since I started in 2010..