Average life of hive equipment

[dfortune]

I was just wondering what yall have found to be the average life of equipment such as boxes, frames, comb, bottom boards, etc. I know there are a lot of variables but just tell me what you would expect for well made, regularly painted, hive equipment.

[beegeorge]

a LOT depends on what wood,, how well preserved,, etc,,, cant give you a lot of info,, but lots depends on the care given

[wadehump]

I have some boxes and frames , bottom board and inner covers and lids that are 30 -35 years old.

[Splatt]

I know there are a lot of variables but just tell me what you would expect for well made, regularly painted, hive equipment.

I'm using hive equipment that's been around for 30+ years. As you can probably guess, this was not commercial equipment, but used for a family hive and so wasn't beaten up quite so much over the years.

[Cedar Hill]

Have supers made of cypress that I have been using for over 40 years. No rot, no holes, best wood in my opinion for supers. OMTCW

[Roland]

We are reworking roofs from the late 30's, putting the galvanized on new wood. Most of the deeps our family made in the 40's are still functioning, but have been repaired often. A frame from the 90's in "new".

Crazy Roland

[psfred]

Bee equipment should be considered permanent. Painted woodenware kept off the ground has an indefinite lifespan, meaning it will last long enough you should not need to replace it within a decade or so, and probably much longer. My brother's hives are seven years old, and we are just now considering repainting them -- the paint looks good with only some mildew on it. I think it's time -- paint now, don't have to worry about peeling paint in a few more years so no scraping, no rot in the box joint, etc. Plain pine from Kelley.

Most important consideration is to keep water out of the joints in the corners and to not pry the boxes apart on the thin part behind the frame rest. Used gently and kept painted the boxes should last decades. Frames will last a long time, but are prone to damage from being propolised in place badly, requiring some force to remove.

Peter

[dfortune]

Wow! I never would have expected they lasted so long. Sounds like i could get a lifetimes use if i build them right an take care of them. Now what about comb? I know the brood comb gets more and more layers of cocoons and poisons built up in it but it seems to me comb from honey supers would last for ever?

[TokerM]

Now what about comb?

You'll get lots of different opinions there, but I've heard of putting them on a 5-year cycle. YMMV

[notaclue]

The only woodenware that I have seen problems with were abused badly. Mine are still going strong, after 7 years, with glue, screws and 'out of the elements' storage. My brood comb I do cycle out. My honey super comb is in great shape.

[hoodswoods]

Well maintained, boxes (and frames) should last for a good long while, the issue being the frame ends of the box with only 3/8" of wood, which tend to get a lot of abuse. Foundation color will tell you when to retire them. Well used brood only lasts a few seasons, with the supers some years longer. But it is a matter of cost and opinion as well. There are some long time beeks that run on decade-old stuff.

I find that my older (frames) all tend to be wired and I don't feel like dealing with that so I retire them, but not until after they have turned a wicked color and are not servicable.

[Roland]

If the cocoons get too thick, the bees tear to down to the midrib and draw it out again. How long the frames last is also determined by how many synthetic chemicals have been absorbed by the wax.


Crazy Roland