Polystyrene hives and nucleus hives

Use the appropriate personal protective equipment when working with Soda crystals and household

bleach solutions — long rubber gloves and eye protection. Prior to sterilising equipment, it must be

cleaned of wax and propolis and any other debris using the following solution:

(1) Soda Crystal Solution to clean polystyrene equipment:

1 kg soda crystals dissolved in 5 litres of warm water plus a dash of washing up liquid.

Soak the equipment with the above solution then scrub clean. Use a hive tool to remove any wax

and propolis, taking care not to damage polystyrene. Once cleaned the equipment can be sterilised.

(2) Sodium Hypochlorite Solution to sterilize polystyrene equipment

Make up a solution of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite. Household bleach is generally approx 3% sodium

hypochlorite. To make up 0.5% solution using household bleach that is 3% the mix is: 1 part

household bleach to 5 parts water

Check the label of your household bleach and adjust the ratio accordingly.

Wash all parts with the solution then rinse thoroughly in clean water.

Wooden Hives

WARNING: Beware of the risks of second-hand equipment, especially older wooden hive parts, which

may be difficult to disinfect effectively. Deep cracks can harbour disease (especially AFB) that remain

active over many years.

Separate the hive components/boxes and scrape away all wax/propolis/debris using a paint scraper

or hive tool. Use solution (1) above to assist with removal of propolis. When the visible debris is

removed the hive components can be sterilised by method (a) or (b) below:

a) Immersion in the sodium hypochlorite solution above (2) for 20 minutes then thoroughly rinsed

and dried … OR …

b) Scorch with a blowtorch until all the timber is darkened to a coffee-brown colour, indicating it

has been sufficiently heated. Be careful not to set it on fire! Pay particular attention to corners

and deep cracks in wood. Diseases such as American Foulbrood are spread by spores which are

exceptionally resistant to extremes of temperature and chemicals.

Hive Tools, queen excluders, wellington boots and ancillary equipment

The soda crystal solution above (1) is suitable for cleaning hive tools, bee brushes and other small

equipment and cleaning wellington boots.

Wood/metal queen excluders are prone to being clogged with wax and can be cleaned and sterilised

using a blow torch whereas plastic queen excluders should be sterilised using the sodium

hypochlorite solution (2) above.