This is the time of year that we start preparing for splitting the bee hives. James was fortunate to find a former beekeeper selling all of his equipment, including old hives, frames and even an extractor. He made a heck of a deal and scored 10 new boxes with frames, extra gloves and tools, bottom boards, queen excluders and a host of other things. 
Many beekeepers won’t purchase used equipment for fear of bringing in diseases and pests to their current hives. We’ve found that by smoking and heating the frames and boxes, the wax moths fall out, old wax loosens and you can sterilize the equipment all at the same time. Here are a few pictures of James and his dad at work.
