Is there any concerns about buying used equipment?

[beenerds]

I have the option of buying 100 deep boxes, lids, bottoms, and frames for a great price. I was wondering if there is any concerns about doing this?

[bluegrass]

Find out why the equipment is empty. If they are just getting rid of excess equipment than buy it, if these are all hives that died off then don't.

[D Coates]

Disease transmission, mainly AFB, but also Nosema, would be what I would be concerned about picking up and transmiting to my apiary.  I'm with Bluegrass, find out why they are selling them.  A volume of 100 used deeps would make me really wonder why this person no longer wants them.

[Wynoochee_newbee_guy]

Yes AFB is what I would worry about. and I would toss the comb and maybe the frames as well. But if you don't know the beek ask for his inspection reports and all paper work on each hive. that way you might have a insite as to what type of beek he was.

[jajtiii]

I was told that you could use a solution of bleach and water to safely clean equipment (I am talking about the hive bodies, not the frames.) Is that not true?

[Finski]

I was told that you could use a solution of bleach and water to safely clean equipment (I am talking about the hive bodies, not the frames.) Is that not true?

It is not meant to wooden hive bodies. It is only system for plastic bodies.
But old frames you may boil in 3% lye solution and frames will be like new.

Use propane torsh for wooden surfaces.

One way is to ask AFB cultivation from old combs. If they are clean, it is valuable thing.

[Kathyp]

you can clean the wood equipment with a weak bleach solution also.  frames as well, although it's much easier to buy  new frames.  they don't cost much and it will save you time.

[bluegrass]

Boiling is better. Bleach is a great sanitizer on non-organic surfaces, but anybody who has taken any Microbiology will tell you that if you clean an organic surface with bleach and then swab and culture the surface you will get all kids of funny things growing.

Bleach will work on plastic ware, not so much on wood.