Bees suits and jackets are quite expensive. Recycling second hand beekeeper protective clothingshould pose no problem. Disinfect the unit and you have saved a lot of money. No guarantees that the bleach works – it just makes me feel better.Ī used honey extractor is a great option if you find one that is still in good shape. I scorch all metal surfaces with a blow torch and then dip item in a mixture of bleach and water. Remove any wax, propolis or other residues. Used bee smokersand hive tools should pose a minimal risk if cleaned properly. Used Tools Pose Less Riskīeekeeping tools are often handed down from generation to generation. They are difficult to clean, inexpensive to replace and not worth the disease risk. What to do with old used frames? Toss them on the fire. This wear and tear makes joints become loose over time and can cause a big mess. They experience stresses in the hive as we pry them out of the boxes during hive inspections. Unless you have 100% faith in the knowledge of the seller, do not buy used frames. The most common type of used beekeeping equipment found for sale is wooden ware-the actual parts of a bee hive: Bottom Boards, supers, frames, inner covers and outer covers.īut, you may find some wooden frames available. There is no safe way to sanitize honeycomb available to the average beekeeper. Honeycomb (beeswax) serves as the liver of the hive. In these hexagonal wax cells, young was raised and food was stored.īeeswax can harbor many pathogens. Is Comb From A Used Beehive Safe?įrames of old honeycomb are the most risky hive components to reuse. This is not normally an option for the small scale beekeeper.Ĭolonies that are sick and dying with AFB may be robbed out, spreading the disease to other colonies in the area. In larger cities, you may find a bee club with a special fumigation tank that can sanitize the boxes. They await the right conditions to develop into active AFB. Foul Brood spores can survive in equipment for 50 years. This bacterial disease leaves behind spores. The biggest problem with AFB is what it leaves behind. In some states, the beekeeper is required to burn infected hives (bees, equipment and all). Sadly, old hive parts and honeycomb can retain disease – long after any live bees are gone!īy subscribing, I consent to receiving emails.īeekeepers have used treatments to suppress AFB but it does not eliminate the problem. The problem can spread to any hives within flying range. Worse yet, if you receive a colony that is infected, you are not only putting your new bees in danger. You never know for sure if the bees are diseased or full of pests. Let’s face it, there is some risk involved anytime you purchase hives with bees and comb. Your good deal may become a beekeeping nightmare. But, there is a lot of risk that comes along with those old hive parts, frames and comb. Is buying a used beehive a good way to start? Sometimes, it can be okay. And, seeing an advertisement that says, “used beehives for sale is tempting”. No matter how much money you have, there is no harm in being a bit frugal. Is it a good way to mitigate the huge startup cost of the first year?Īlso, it is often recommended that new beekeepers should start with 2 hives. This makes the idea of used beekeeping equipment very enticing to new beekeepers. Let’s face it – in the beginning you don’t really know exactly what you need. Hundreds (even thousands) of dollars can be spent on bees, tools, quality beekeeping suits and hive parts.Īnd don’t forget all those bee gadgets that you don’t really need but want to have. Used Beehive for Sale – Why it Happens?Īnyone new to the world of bees quickly learns that it requires an outlay of some money.
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