So if I could find some used supers, how do I treat them so that I know that they are not diseased? I have heard of:
1. Boiling them in lye water (dangerous and hard to find a container big enough for a medium box)
* Cut combs off from frames and put frames in punches. Soak punch in hot liquig and turn it uppside down. It takes a minute and punch is ready.
* Keep it soaked in water that lye dilutes away. It is quicker than put together new frames.
* Make 3% lye solution
* pour liquid in earth after use. There is no poison effects. It is NaOH.
* you may also use dishwasher powder.
BOXES
Handle inside with gas flame that resin is boiling. Scrape extra off.
DON'T paint box inside!
BOILING
When you handle lye liquid, do not boil it. It developes bad fumes.
It is enough that water is near boiling level. Hot removes the wax. Lye turns wax to soap and wax adheres any more to wood.
Make a boilind container from half barrel, or get a 50 liter wide metal box or container.
HANDLING WITH FLAME
Flame handling is usual way to handle the inner walls of box. Bottom board and inner covers too. You need it often.
I use
styrofoam boxes too (plastic). I wash them with warm lye solution.
It loosens the wax and brown excrements.
This basic system, and I do not konow better. It is important to try to keep hive's hygieny on.