Pink wax

[Annaklw]

I have just broken down a nuc that was robbed out by wasps - it wasn’t a strong hive so I wasn’t particularly surprised - I left it for a while after I knew it had died because life and miserable weather just got in the way. Today I went to clean it up and discovered that all the wax is pink! I don’t mean just tinged pink, but of a shade that would almost please Barbie!
Is this mould or something more sinister? Do I need to discard the wax or even the whole frames?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

doesn't look particularly pink to me - just looks like normal comb

 

[Annaklw]

doesn't look particularly pink to me - just looks like normal comb

In real life it is a dusky pink. I am thinking it is probably mould (we have had a lot of rain). As I know the colony failed due to wasps, am I safe to give these frames to another hive?

 

[alancooper]

In real life it is a dusky pink. I am thinking it is probably mould (we have had a lot of rain). As I know the colony failed due to wasps, am I safe to give these frames to another hive?

Probably some type mould.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

am I safe to give these frames to another hive?

yes

 

[Anduril]

I've seen it before many years ago, but in less quantity in one of my hives. It is a pollen tinge to the wax, just like the yellow stain you get with dandelion.

 

[Garry R]

Were the bees robbed blind or just tickled pink?

 

[ericbeaumont]

discard the wax or even the whole frames

No, you have an asset for next season. Trick is to get them there without wax moth & rodent having first use.

Keep them sealed and cold (long frosts are good) and treat with sulphur strips or Dipel, to kill wax moth eggs & larvae.

 

[Sutty]

Or seal them up for a few weeks with some concentrated acetic acid in a tray. Keep sealed away until you need them