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Drone frames

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:22 pm
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? :?

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:45 pm
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.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:40 pm
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

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:58 pm
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.

Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:23 pm
by ski
Great pictures of the mites and their mess on the drones.