Cleaning Hives

Hives and frames from dead or diseased colonies must not be reused without cleaning. First scrape them roughly by hand with a hive tool and knife, then either flame them or wash them with hot caustic soda solution. When flaming, it is enough for the wood to discolor slightly; make sure the surroundings are fireproof.

Caustic soda is always mixed cold, otherwise a violent reaction occurs. Against foulbrood spores, a hot three percent or a five percent caustic soda solution is considered suitable, in the case of a notifiable disease as instructed by the official veterinarian. Soda solution is a different substance, sodium carbonate, and not the same as caustic soda. The solution is highly corrosive: apron over the boots, chemical-resistant gloves reaching above the elbow, face protection. Afterwards rinse with clean water and let dry. Before disposal via the sewer system, neutralize spent lye with acetic acid or hand it in as hazardous waste.

With American foulbrood this is not a free choice. Under the Bee Disease Ordinance, apiaries, hives, and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected as instructed by the official veterinarian and under official supervision; straw hives are burned. Suitable methods here are burning, flaming, and caustic soda. With old frames, the effort is often not worth more than buying new ones.

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