Just a question for the burr comb saving beekeepers... What would you do with the following comb when it's removed from the hive?
Saving Burr Comb when there is larvae (with picture)
Re: Saving Burr Comb when there is larvae (with picture)
I would first pick up each drone larva and inspect for vorroa mites. Then I would scrape the burr comb off.
Re: Saving Burr Comb when there is larvae (with picture)
I have a deal with local birds. I would examine a good number of larvae as Wally suggests. If there are more than I want to look at, I leave the burr comb out and give the birds a chance to eat the larvae. If they clean it out, I collect the wax and process it. If they don't clean it out, I collect the wax and deal with the stink when I process it. As spring progresses, the birds learn that newly deceased honey bees and nearly dead crawlers are a good protein source. They show up regularly to dine at my driveway pad in front of my hives. They quickly catch on about the burr comb and drone larvae.