Out Apiary ethics?

[Queens59]

Having just placed my first hive in an out apiary, what do others do about disease transfer & avoidance? I figured new gloves and hive tools, but is there anything I am missing?

 

[For want of a better word]

Jeys fluid foot wash and wellies... or was that foot & mouth?

 

[VEG]

Different suit and car for each out apiary lol.

 

[thedeaddiplomat]

A travelling container of washing soda solution - to make sure your hive tool etc is cleaned thoroughily before moving on.

 

[YorkshireBees]

I use the same pair of kid leather gloves but with blue surgical gloves over the top. I generally change them between hives even in the same apiary!

The other benefit is that some of my colonies use a lot of propolis so my leather gloves benefit from not getting dirty!

As regards hive tools I have a number and stick them in a bowl of washing soda solution once a week to clean them all.

 

[Ape Resi]

washing soda solution

hi, could you tell me what strength you make this? and is ok to leave the hive tool in or if not how long you leave it in before rinsing out?

thanks, R

 

[hedgerow pete]

to clean my hive tool i drop it into a neat bottle of sugar soap.

as for bio security, why?

are you the only one there or do other people have hives there?

if its just you then dont worry to much if its other people as well i would suggest that instead of using leather gloves you go to trying two pairs at a time of blue surgical gloves or marigolds, the light wieght ones go in the bin the marigolds go in a bag for next time, dont worry about the same suit

 

[Dishmop]

to clean my hive tool i drop it into a neat bottle of sugar soap.

do read the instruction tho!!!!! Skin doesnt like it....

 

[YorkshireBees]

hi, could you tell me what strength you make this? and is ok to leave the hive tool in or if not how long you leave it in before rinsing out?

thanks, R

I just followed the instructions on the container to be honest. Mixed it up left them in soaking for a while and then rinsed them off. I had disposable gloves on whilst doing it to protect my hands and it was a well ventilated area.

 

[Ape Resi]

Thanks Yorkshire Bees! will add to my ever growing shopping list! ;o)
R

 

[Polyanwood]

I would get another smoker too Queens. They are impossible to keep free from bee diseases as they are hard to clean.

 

[Baggyone]

Empty the smoker and dip it in forementioned washing soda pot. As per Andy Whatten.

 

[Poly Hive]

Some of this is just a tad OTT.

Given that a smoker gets a bit hot and that BDI peeps pop suspect bees into theirs I feel reasonably sure that one is safe enough.

Keep your hive tool in 6% washing soda or use Zircon at the right strength.

If you are really worried about disease then use disposable gloves over your normal ones.

If you are determined not to use gloves then scorch hands carefully.... (joke people... joke)

Be realistic.

PH