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I’ve often taken this kind of wax ‘sawdust’ and rendered it. If there’s enough to sweep up, it’ll work just fine. If it’s just a handful, not worth the effort. A solar wax melter works wonderful for this type of thing. Otherwise, adding it to boiling water will work, or even washing it in water before rendering it. There are plenty of ways to use it, just a question of whether it’s worth the effort for you. If not, sounds like Jeanne would be happy to take it off your hands.
As for the comb …
It really depends how much they destroyed it what you need to do to repair it. Basically if they chewed anything short of the midrib (foundation) and there is still any pattern of cells, its really just extra formed foundation. Put it in the hive the way it is, and the bees will draw it back out.
If they’ve eaten actual holes in it, I’d try to put it between brood frames and they are likely to repair it with decent comb as opposed to burr comb. There is a good chance, however, that they’ll fill it with drone comb, depending on the season and the state of the hive. Most hives that use foundation are starved for drone comb and put it anywhere they get the chance. I tried to use foundationless frames for comb honey and ended up with a box of drones.
If, you have plastic foundation and the mice have chewed it flat (removed the ‘foundation’ pattern of cells), the bees won’t use it. It’s like putting a flat piece of plastic in the hive. They’ll just ignore it and build out the neighboring comb. I suppose you could cut a hole there if you really wanted. Or just throw that sheet away and add a new piece of plastic foundation to the wooden frame.
Of course in any case, you can always add new foundation to reuse the wooden frame. If you do, a solar wax melter is a great way to render all that comb. Sounds like getting a solar wax melter is you’re next project 😉
From: Math Heinzel
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 7:00 PM
To: 'jeanne hansen' via madbees
Subject: Re: [madbees] Mice chewed comb
If there is enugh to bother with, put it in a bucket of water, the wax will float, and the rest will (eventually) sink.
On April24, 2021, at 6:52 PM, 'BETSY TRUE' via madbees <mad...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
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