Dealing With Deadouts

by | Mar 23, 2020 | A Beekeepers' Year, Advanced, Beginning, Disease, How To, Pests, Spring

What is a deadout? These are beehives who’s colonies did not make it through the winter. When you look inside it may look quite “ugly” and certainly discouraging. Many newer beekeepers assume that everything – boxes, frames, foundation – is contaminated and must be replaced. – In all likelihood this is not the case. It IS best to rehabilitate any deadouts early, by March or early April. In this way you equipment is ready to go for this year’s colonies. – The information below should provide some guidelines.

Clean up your “Dead Out” ASAP. By early April or sooner.

  • Quite likely everything is good to use – with some cleaning up.
  • Bee actually prefer used frames and foundation. – They appreciate that honey-bee-lived-in aroma.
  • There is even a chance that a swarm may move in and use it as a new home.
  • Do not go overboard. You DO NOT have to pick out every last dead-bee part, spider web and speck of mold. Frames should not be scrubbed and bleached.— Remember, bees like “Lived in” 😃
    • Nice new frames and foundation look nice to beekeepers and are acceptable to bees, however
    • Honey bees much prefer a nice, homey, “lived in” hive

How Begin. What to Do?

  • Take the hive apart, frame by frame
  • Mice Nests if you did not use a mouse guard at the entrance, there is a very good chance that a mouse family will have overwintered in the hive. They can do a lot of damage, particularly to wax foundation.
    • Remove all the nesting material, from frames and boxes. If the frames have a heavy mouse urine oder you may wish to pitch them.
    • Wax foundation will probably need replacement.
    • Plastic foundation may survive with a good cleaning and resurfacing with beeswax.
    • It has happened to all beekeepers… Next year remember to use mouse guards!
  • Dead Bees: You will likely find areas where bees have died with their heads in cells
    • Gently brush dead bees off the frame surfaces. 
    • Don’t worry if there are “bee parts” remaining in cells. — New bees will clean them out.
  • Mold on foundation. Once bees are dead and no longer keeping house, some mold may grow on the foundation. Unless excessive new bees will clean this away.
  • Propolis: There will be hardened propolis on frames, particularly at contact points between frames, and some under the “ears” of the frames where they hang..
    • If propolis accumulates on frames, particularly at frame-edge contact points, they are much more difficult to move around as the season progresses.
    • Scrape/chip propolis off with a hive tool or knife blade. (The cooler the temperature, the more easily it will chip away).
  • Remaining Honey:  Even if bees have starved to death, you may find patches of honey.
    • If only a little bit – place those frames near the brood area for the new bees.
    • If a lot – Put in your house until it can either be extracted or used as food for other bees.
  • Wax moth: Sometimes wax moths will have spun webs, built cocoons, etc.
    • Wax moth damage is NOT HARMFUL to bees, it is mostly just a nuisance. – Unless wax moth webbing is extensive, Do not go overboard and throw everything away.
    • Cocoons:  These may be along edges of frames and boxes.  
      • Do remove them, there may still be live pupa in some. Put them in a bag, then into the trash.
      • When scraped off they may leave scalloped indentations in wood. This doesn’t hurt anything. – Bees don’t care.
    • Foundation:  If wax moth infestation has been heavy there may be lots, lots of webbing. 
      • If it is real bad, replace that foundation. 
      • If just a spot or so here and there, scrape it away; let bees make repairs
  • Boxes and other woodenware.
    • Scrape away propolis; remember frame rests and the upper and lower contact surfaces with other boxes.
    • Don’t bleach or use strong detergents; best to wipe down and rinse with hose.
  • Other issues?
    • When cleaning out old equipment, only foulbrood is a major concern that requires major attention.  Fortunately it is very rare in Central Indiana.
    • Check on the internet for information on foul brood. – Here is one link.
    • In Indiana contact our State Apiarist, Kathleen Prough. (Often she can come and inspect your colony.)  (317) 232-4121 and (317) 232-4123

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