Beekeeping Basics - Sterilising Bee Hives using a Gas Torch - The Norfolk Honey Co.

[@steverawlings1128]

Hi Stewart. Another great video. I'm a complete beginner, and have recently refurbished a national hive. I appreciate that a naked flame from a gas torch is the preferred method by bee keepers. I did try using my gas torch before switching to an electric heat gun, and found that the heat gun worked well. Using the heat gun, I found that I could still scorch the wood if I wanted to, but I achieved an excellent level of control by varying (a) the distance between the heat gun and the wood and (b) my speed of progress along the surface of the wood. Of course, I cannot say that the result is as effective as using a naked flame. But the lack of a naked flame meant that I could go back and forth several times over difficult areas (such as corners and rebates), gradually heating up the area to achieve that lovely, even golden colour of bubbling propolis and wax without excessive burning of the hive components.

[@CityPrepping]

Super helpful. I just got a box someone donated to me and not knowing the condition of the box, I was advised to sterilize the box. This helped so much. Thanks!

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi C.P., It's always difficult when you get some used equipment knowing what its history might have been. This way, you can at least mitigate any problems to the best of your ability and hopefully, any bees that go into it will remain healthy. Good luck with your beekeeping season. Stewart

[@reneebrown5598]

What is the purpose of scorching? Is it to kill potential pests or pathogens or both? I've never seen it done in my area ( south Alabama) so I'm wondering if I need to do this and what purpose it serves

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Renee, Exactly as you suggest. killing pest and pathogens hopefully. Stewart

[@MrTypicalmale342002]

Why don't you just wash the boxes like you do the frames? Seems like it would be easier?

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Thomas, Thanks for the question. I actually find that once I've scraped out the box it is easier just to flash a hot flame over the boxes rather than boil up a drum of water and washing soda. I do sometimes wash the crownboards and queen excluders but again, it's usually quicker to just flame them after I've scraped them. It's probably that I never think to boil up the water in advance and once they are ready it's easier just to light up the torch. Stewart

[@MrTypicalmale342002]

The Norfolk Honey Company thank you. Great videos!

[@thorongil8729]

What about second hand frames? Beekeeper donated me to of his used hives with frames. Should i also blow torch them?

[@ayapi9333]

Is it alright to use map gas torch to clean hives, is there any reason it would not be ok to use ?

[@jerrylsmith1955]

Hi,just wondering if the bees would reject the burning of parts of the wood ? I enjoy your videos Jerry

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Jerry, Thanks for the question. The bees haven't yet complained to me about the scorching of the wooden parts of the beehive :) Whenever I replace a dirty hive box with a cleaned one they accept it without any problems. Stewart

[@NP-bm5qu]

Hi Stewart. My colonies are on open mesh floors. The bee space without inserting a varroa board is too deep and so my bees are drawing out drone combe under the frames. Are the open mesh floors designed for the varroa boards to be left in place permanently? Is the bee space corrected once the varroa boards are kept in place. Thanks Neeta

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Neeta, It sounds like you may have the floor upside down. The mesh should always be closest to the bottom of the brood frames and the solid floor slides in beneath the mesh. Varroa mites that fall from the bees then fall onto the mesh and through onto the solid floor which you can then remove and check. Just take another look at the floor and confirm it is up the right way for me please. Stewart

[@NP-bm5qu]

That's exactly what it was. Thanks

[@lisamackenzie5370]

Hello again the World cup is on (how boring) so I'm swatting up on bees, hence all my previous Q's lol 1. I've invested in metal rails can I leave those in and still clean effectively or should I removed them, clean and replace? 2. Why do you sometimes use a solid floor (I know you use mesh too)? 3. I am a hobby beekeeper so do not have loads of extra hive components. I have two hives a WBC and a National the boxes are not compatible. I assume I will need to buy an extra brood box for each (I obviously have more than one super for each) so that I can carry out spring cleans and box swaps? Informative as always, thank you.

[@steveparker4343]

Two stupid questions: first one is, I've heard propolis has antibacterial properties. If this is the case, is it necessary to remove it from the brood box? Secondly, i have one polyhive and one wooden hive. I'm ok with using a blow torch on the wooden hive but not too sure about how the polyhive would take it!

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Steve, The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and then go do something you regret! Yes, propolis has antibacterial properties but as time passes it can also get covered in all manner of nasty stuff so it's best cleaned away on a routine clean up. I suspect the polyhive would not take to a blowtorch terribly well, but I think you already knew that! There are a few products out there that can help in this regard. The first thing I would do is use a fairly strong washing soda solution and wash it out thoroughly, that will remove all the propolis and other debris. I also have a product called Eversafe bee care and hive wash that I use to disinfect the poly kit that I have. Here's a link to maisemore's page showing all the details. www.bees-online.co.uk/detail.asp?ID=760&name=Eversafe-Bee-Care-and-Hive-Wash

[@steveparker4343]

Hi Stuart, thanks for your reply. That is always a major issue with some of the old timers in our association when suggesting poly hives. I will pop down to maisemore later on as I work about 1/2 mile away. regards Steve

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Nice, Let them know I sent you, they have been very supportive of my channel and it would be helpful for them to know we've spoken. Stewart.

[@steveparker4343]

Hi Stewart, I went down to Maisemore and bought the eversafe as you recommended. They told me that many beekeepers are now using it for wooden hives as its so easy to use and efficient. They even talked me into going to the Beetradex show next weekend so if you are there I will call by and say hello.

[@Michael_W87]

Thank you for this video! I will try this this year on a few of my hives that died. I have the frames in the freezer and non have slimed frame. SHB are dead. I assume bees can use frames with capped brood that died, and they will clean this out in spring? I will scorch the inside of brood box and bottom board / top cover.

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Michael, I prefer not to take the risk of transferring disease between colonies and so would rather cut out the wax and render it down, boil the frames and use fresh foundation in them. I've seen too many colonies go down with infections because of cross-contamination. Yes, scrape and scorch the insides of the hive parts to clean them up. Good luck with the new season. Stewart

[@tallcedars2310]

Being a first year beekeeper this is the first video that shows a comprehensive hive cleaning that showed me what to do. One question tho, do you fill in the corners, holes, cracks etc with wax so mites can't hide in them?

[@Troy-ri7tm]

QUALITY CONTENT

[@NP-bm5qu]

Hi Stewart. My colonies are on open mesh floors. The bee space without inserting a varroa board is too deep and so my bees are drawing out drone combe under the frames. Are the open mesh floors designed for the varroa boards to be left in place permanently? Is the bee space corrected once the varroa boards are kept in place. Thanks Neeta

[@TheTrooperGirl]

fabulous! thank you so much. For some reason I never thought about this aspect of keeping the girls safe and healthy. Thank you again!

[@mariakeenan4908]

If you have metal runners do you leave them on?

[@setsappa1540]

I noticed these metal bars in extenders on few channels from England and Ireland. Interesting. Whats the size of the frame please? Im from CZ, its amuzing to see stuff from warmer countries...

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi setsappa1, if you mean the castellated runners they are designed to act as spacers for the frames. Stewart

[@emjayscafe]

Curious about scorching. I was under the impression that the scent of burning wood may stress out the bees when your putting new colonies into Your brood box. (I’m a newBEE so what do I know?).

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Greg, Thanks for commenting. I've never had any problems with bees going into recently scorched hives, I don't burn the wood so it's black just a light scorching but it does still smell as if it has been flamed. Good luck with your beekeeping. Stewart

[@emjayscafe]

Stewart....your content is so valuable. Thank you!

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Greg, I really appreciate your comments and the feedback. Stewart