Worldwide Beekeeping Resource Library > GETTING STARTED
Hive tool hygiene
iddee:
:P :P :P :laugh:
Bakersdozen:
I just now saw this thread. I did a short presentation on sanitation for my bee club at our last meeting. That meeting was online.
To clean the built up propolis and wax off hive tools I first use one hive tool to scrape the other hive tool. This will remove large chunks of propolis, especially if the hive tool is cold. Then I use scrubbing powder and a green scrubbing pad. That will get all of it off. I follow up with a quick soaking in bleach water. 4 tsp. of bleach per quart of water will do. Rinse and dry. Your hive tools will be cleaned and sanitized.
Other methods to keep brood diseases down include throwing them in a smoker that has a big flames, propane torch, bucket of bleach water (throw tools in the bucket in between apiaries), and even wiping your tools with Clorox Wipes in between colonies.
Zweefer:
Looks like it does the trick!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Papakeith:
I shove my hive tool into the ground to clean it off. Soil is a great abrasive and will clean it right up.
Generally when visiting a different apiary I will use their tools.
Bakersdozen:
--- Quote from: Papakeith on June 09, 2020, 03:36:59 pm ---I shove my hive tool into the ground to clean it off. Soil is a great abrasive and will clean it right up.
Generally when visiting a different apiary I will use their tools.
--- End quote ---
Papakeith, some of the bigger beekeepers keep tools stashed at each apiary so they are not tempted to use the same tools at each location.
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