Buying Secondhand Hives of Bees
If you are thinking of buying secondhand hives, check the condition of the frames, combs and hive parts before you buy. Poor equipment can harbour disease and make beekeeping much harder.
Important: Ask an experienced beekeeper to inspect the colony with you before buying.
Only buy locally raised bees. North Wales has a healthy honeybee population and it is worth protecting.
Avoid aggressive colonies. New beekeepers should not start with bees that are difficult to handle.
The images below show examples of incorrect frame sizes, damaged lugs, broken spacers and distorted comb. Old, blackened comb should be treated with caution. Pictures by Barry Griffiths.
Remedial options
A colony may be transferred onto new frames using a Bailey Frame Change or a Shook Swarm.
Questions to ask before buying
Why are the bees for sale?
Hives from retiring or deceased beekeepers may include poor equipment, old frames, blackened brood combs or missing parts. You may end up replacing the hive and frames.
Have they been recently inspected?
Ask whether the bees have been inspected recently by the Seasonal Bee Inspector.
When is the best time to buy?
Bees bought in September may be cheaper, but they must be prepared for winter quickly. Bees bought in spring usually cost more, but there may be an opportunity to move them onto clean foundation during the spring flow.
Would a nuc be a better option?
New beekeepers may be better buying a nucleus colony headed by a young queen raised by a local experienced beekeeper.
New beekeeper checklist
What type of hive is it?
Most beekeepers in this area use National hives. Check before buying, as non-standard equipment can make future management harder.
Is it an old WBC hive?
Old WBC hives can be difficult to move. An experienced beekeeper may consider transferring the bees to a National hive before moving them.
What condition is the equipment in?
Check the hive floor, brood box, supers, frames, lugs, spacers and comb. Replacement costs can mount up quickly.
Do the bees have enough stores?
Check whether the colony has enough food or whether feeding will be needed soon after purchase.
