Sterilizing 2nd hand hives

[EmsE]

Is there an effective way of sterilizing 2nd hand polystyrene hives that would be as effective as blow torching a wooden hive?

[gavin]

To sterilise them to that level of certainty then you'd need a hot caustic soda bath, but that isn't something to do lightly. On the other hand washing soda with a squirt of washing up liquid is good for cleaning hive tools and the like between inspections. This treatment is less harsh and will not kill all AFB spores but if you do it well it will remove all deposits and leave insufficient spores to start a new infection.

I'd be happy doing a washing soda wash (with a scrubbing brush), repeating it with fresh solution, and rinsing off, for secondhand polyboxes from someone that you do not expect to have had foulbrood. If they came from foulbrood-infected colonies I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

cheers

Gavin

[Alvearium]

If you wish to look in great detail about this subject then have alook at this document. Gavin's comments are important regarding suspected AFB contamination. Hive wood has micropores and the surface of polystyrene hives will have numerous crevices. No amount of cleaning will get rid of all contaminants unless cleaning substances will penetrate. Washing soda, used with care is very effective.
Alvearium
Sorry attachment wrong way round!