Soda Crystals Solution Strength For Polys

[Portsoy]

What strength of soda cystal solution do you use to clean Polys?

Do you also wash them down with bleach?

 

[lebouche]

I have used bleach on mine to no bad effect.

 

[Swarm]

Cleaning with bleach is the advised course of action against AFB.

 

[oliver90owner]

Cleaning is not the same as disinfecting. See the NBU document on the subject.

 

[itma]

As o90o says, download the polys, disinfection and 'hive cleaning and sterilisation' fact sheets from Beebase.
Gives suggested concentrations, procedures, times and more.
Better that you find and download and read them than be spoonfed a précis!

 

[Stickyfingers]

What strength of soda cystal solution do you use to clean Polys?

Do you also wash them down with bleach?

You can wash with caustic soda. It's far more effective. (1 tablespoon per litre) This will removes wax and propolis. Bleach will disenfect it.
I usually make a potent mixture of both in garden sprayer. let it soak, then rinse with fresh water.
Just wear suitable protection, gloves, glasses etc.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Caustic soda in a garden sprayer - now that is a recipe for disaster

 

[BeeJayBee]

Caustic soda in a garden sprayer - now that is a recipe for disaster

You're not kidding!

Cleaning is not the same as disinfecting. See the NBU document on the subject.

Beebase / NBU factsheets are on this page https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?pageid=167

Cleaning plastic hives, which includes polystyrene, is this pdf https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/downloadDocument.cfm?id=494

 

[Stickyfingers]

Caustic soda in a garden sprayer - now that is a recipe for disaster

Why. It's lye solution at a fairly diluted strength. Your not trying to unblock drains. If your using it in a controlled manner on the hive parts in a suitable location there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[For want of a better word]

Washing soda.... 1kg in 5 litres water

I use a huge plastic water container found left in the loft when heating system was converted to a Heatstore system... can easily accommodate 2 Pa***es polly nucs or one BHS polly hive !

FULL PROTECTIVE OUTFIT... long rubber gloves and wellie boots and goggles essential!