Used hives & frames

[flatford39]

I have acquired two decent brood hives with equally decent supers with all the frames and Queen excluders. Since I have no history at all on this equipment what is the best way to clean it or sterilize before introducing new bees. These are used hives that have signs of wax and comb in them.

Thank you

Tom

[bassman1977]

Start a small wood fire inside of the boxes.  Let it burn enough to char the outer wood, but not destroy it.  This will ensure that foul brood spores are killed.  I believe Cindi used this method earlier this year, if memory serves.  Search through her posts and I'm sure you will find something.

[DrKurtG]

What about using a dilute bleach solution to clean?

[Brian D. Bray]

Start a small wood fire inside of the boxes.  Let it burn enough to char the outer wood, but not destroy it.  This will ensure that foul brood spores are killed.  I believe Cindi used this method earlier this year, if memory serves.  Search through her posts and I'm sure you will find something.

A quick way to singe the inside of a hive box is to paint on  lilght coat of petrol and toss a match.  The best thing is to take it apart was most methods will not get heat into the corners and various viruses and other pests can survive a quick torch out if they're in between the wood of the corners.
Another easy method is to use a propane torch and give it a go until the wood grain starts to rise.