Drone frames

Local question related to beekeeping in the Piedmont Triad area asked and answered here!

Moderators: Jacobs, Wally

Post Reply
ski
Guard bee
Posts: 1018
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:40 am
Location: Whitsett, NC

Drone frames

Post by ski »

I have been seeing old posts indicating they were buying drone frames.
Why would you want drone frames in a hive. I thought you wanted to minimize the quantity of drones. :shock: Would these be for raising queens or am I missing the point altogether? :?
Wally
Guard bee
Posts: 1840
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Post by Wally »

Varroa mites prefer to lay eggs in drone cells. A drone frame is supposed to draw the mites to lay in with the drone larva. The frame is removed and frozen after the cells are capped, thereby killing the unhatched varroa mites.
ski
Guard bee
Posts: 1018
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:40 am
Location: Whitsett, NC

Post by ski »

:) A live vaorra trap, now thats cool.

Is that because its a larger cell and is in the larva stage longer allowing the mite more time to get in before the cell is capped?

Can the wax be used for anything after the frame is frozen?


Thanks Wally
Wally
Guard bee
Posts: 1840
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Post by Wally »

http://www.beesource.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi ... 788#000001

Check out this conversation.

As for the wax, it can be used if you can separate it from the grubs.
ski
Guard bee
Posts: 1018
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:40 am
Location: Whitsett, NC

Post by ski »

Great pictures of the mites and their mess on the drones.
Post Reply