Proper maintenance extends the life of your Primal Bee equipment and keeps colonies healthy. This guide covers both hive care (equipment) and bee care (colony monitoring) since the two go hand in hand.

Expected Lifespan

Primal Bee Durability

Component lifespan:

• EPS hive bodies: More than a decade with proper use
• Frames: 5-10+ years depending on use and maintenance
• Covers: 10+ years with proper care
• Safety straps: 3-5 years depending on UV exposure
• Small components: Variable, replace as needed

Compared to traditional hives:

• Lasts as long as wood while delivering superior performance
• No moisture absorption, warping, or rotting
• UV-stable material maintains integrity
• Weather-resistant without painting or treatment

Note on color change: Primal Bee hives do "suntan" over time—they turn yellowish, then orangish when exposed to sunlight. This is not material degradation; it's the material curing in the sun. It's normal and expected, and doesn't affect performance.

Routine Maintenance Schedule

This schedule covers both equipment maintenance and colony monitoring tasks.

Spring Maintenance (March-May)

Hive care:

• Clean bottom boards: Remove winter debris and dead bees
• Replace varroa tray: Put in a fresh one for the season
• Check for mouse damage: Mice may have chewed through the varroa tray from underneath during winter—inspect carefully. Consider installing mouse screens if you see damage.
• Inspect frames: Check for damage, replace worn frames or foundation
• Check safety straps: Tighten and inspect for wear
• Clean entrance areas: Remove cross comb and debris buildup (cross comb is more common than propolis buildup in Primal Bee hives)
• Assess equipment: Identify repairs needed before busy season
• For repairs: Use water-based wood glue (Gorilla Glue or Titebond work well) or water-based wood putty for filling holes

Getting hives ready for bees: If your hives don't already have bees in them, this is the time to prepare them for package installation or splits.

Bee care:

• First inspection when nighttime temps are consistently above 50°F
• Assess colony survival and population size
• Check food stores and begin feeding if needed
• Look for queen activity (eggs, young larvae)
• Evaluate brood pattern quality

Summer Maintenance (June-August)

Hive care:

• Check for damage: Although heat damage is rare with Primal Bee hives due to thermal efficiency, check for any environmental damage
• Order more supers: If you're seeing lots of honey flow, make sure you have enough supers on hand
• Check local honey flows: See what flowers are blooming in your area—this helps you anticipate when to add supers
• Inspect safety systems: Verify straps are secure, especially with multiple supers stacked
• Prepare extraction equipment: Get your extraction equipment ready for fall harvest

Bee care:

• Monitor for swarming pressure
• Add supers as needed (don't let them run out of space)
• Check for pests during inspections
• Maintain adequate ventilation through entrance management

Fall Maintenance (September-November)

Harvest section:

• Harvest honey: Leave at least one super on the hive for the bees' winter food supply. If you have 2-3 supers, harvest the top ones but leave one—it's too much space for bees to keep warm over winter with multiple supers.
• Deep cleaning: Thorough cleaning of extracted supers after honey harvest

Hive care:

• Equipment repair: Fix or replace damaged components before winter
• Winter preparation: Ensure all seals and closures are working properly
• Storage organization: Properly store seasonal equipment
• Freeze anything with old wax: Equipment with old comb may have wax moth eggs. Freeze for 48+ hours before storing. Protect stored equipment from wax moths using thick black trash bags (double-bag for best protection).
• Inventory assessment: Note equipment needs for next season

Bee care:

• Configure hive for winter (reduce space with follower boards if needed)
• Ensure adequate food stores (feed if necessary)
• Install mouse guards
• Reduce entrances

Winter Maintenance (December-February)

Hive care:

• Periodic checks: Monitor hive exterior and anchoring
• Snow management: Clear heavy snow from hive tops. In snowy areas, consider building a small overhang or roof in front of the hive entrance to prevent snow from blocking it directly. We don't have a Primal Bee-specific product for this yet, but a simple DIY overhang works well.
• Equipment repair: Repair stored equipment during downtime
• Planning: Order replacement parts and new equipment for spring
• Storage maintenance: Check stored equipment for pest damage

Bee care:

• External monitoring only (weight, entrance activity, listening)
• Emergency feeding if stores run low (fondant or candy boards)
• Avoid opening hive unless temperatures are well above 60°F for extended period

Between-Inspection Maintenance

After Each Inspection

• Scrape any excess propolis or burr comb from hive tool
• Clean any honey or wax from equipment
• Check frame alignment and adjust as needed
• Verify top cover seals properly
• Tighten safety straps if loosened

Weekly Visual Checks (External)

What to look for without opening the hive:

• Entrance activity and cleanliness
• Bees bringing in pollen (sign of active foraging and brood rearing)
• Hive weight (lift slightly from one side to gauge honey stores)
• Dead bees: Some at entrance is normal; lots of dead bees or bees walking around on the ground is a bad sign
• Ant trails: If you see ants trailing into your hive, address immediately
• Hive stability and level positioning
• Safety strap security
• Signs of pests or damage
• Weather-related issues

Cleaning Procedures

Cleaning Active Hives

Minimal disturbance approach:

• Bottom board and varroa tray: Slide out tray, clear dead bees and debris, wipe clean or spray with light oil for mite monitoring, reinsert carefully
• Entrance: Keep clear and accessible
• Cross comb/burr comb: Remove excessive buildup during inspections (this is more common than propolis in Primal Bee hives)
• Top cover: Ensure proper seal and no damage

Post-Harvest Cleaning

This is the most important cleaning you'll do all year. Proper post-harvest care protects your equipment and sets you up for next season.

Step 1: Let the bees clean your frames ("wet frames")

After extraction, frames still have residual honey and intact comb—these are called "wet frames." Return them to your hives:

1. Place extracted frames back in supers
2. Set supers on top of strong hives (under the cover, above the inner cover)
3. Let bees clean them for 24-48 hours
4. Bees will remove all remaining honey and repair any comb damage
5. Remove frames once they're clean and dry

Why this matters: Bees do a better job cleaning than you can, and they get the benefit of any residual honey. Plus, cleaned frames with intact comb are ready for bees to refill immediately next season—no need to draw new wax.

Step 2: Inspect and sort cleaned frames

Once bees have cleaned the frames:

• Inspect each frame for damage or problems
• Replace frames with old, dark comb—this is a good time to rotate out old equipment
• Check for any remaining debris or bee parts
• Set aside damaged frames for repair or disposal

Step 3: Super cleaning

For the super boxes themselves, you usually don't need to do much—supers rarely require scraping or washing.

If supers are excessively dirty:

• Scrape off any burr comb or propolis buildup
• Warm water rinse if needed (no soap)
• Dry completely before storage

Step 4: Frame storage

• Stack frames carefully to prevent warping
• Store in airtight or sealed containers if possible—this protects against wax moths, mice, and ants
• Tip: Large plastic storage bins with rubber gasket lids (from office supply or home improvement stores) are the perfect size for frames and provide excellent protection

If you can't use sealed containers:

• Freeze frames for 48+ hours to kill wax moth eggs
• Double-bag in thick black trash bags
• Check periodically for pest damage

Extractor and Equipment Cleaning

Clean your extractor the same day you use it. Honey crystallizes and becomes very difficult to remove if left.

• Wash thoroughly with warm water (not hot—hot water melts wax and makes a mess)
• Rinse all honey residue from the drum, basket, and honey gate
• Clean filters/strainers: These get gunked up with wax. Have 2-3 on hand so you can swap during extraction and clean later. Stainless steel mesh cleans easily with warm water.
• Dry completely before storing
• Lubricate moving parts if recommended by manufacturer

Uncapping tools:

• Rinse in warm water immediately after use
• Remove any wax buildup
• Dry and store properly

Frame Cleaning (Deeper Clean)

For frames that need more than what the bees can do:

• Light cleaning: Scrape excess propolis and burr comb with hive tool
• Deep cleaning: Soak in warm water, scrape thoroughly, allow to dry completely
• Foundation replacement: If foundation is damaged, torn, or extremely old/dark, replace it
• Wax moth prevention: Always freeze frames for 48+ hours before long-term storage

Equipment Sanitization (Disease Situations)

Only needed after disease issues or when acquiring used equipment:

• Bleach solution: 10% bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)
• Soak or scrub all surfaces
• Rinse thoroughly to remove all bleach residue
• Complete drying is critical before reuse or storage
• For American Foulbrood: Consult your state apiarist—equipment may need to be destroyed rather than sanitized

Safe Cleaning Methods for EPS

Do:

• Warm water and scraping (primary method)
• Mild dish soap if needed for stubborn residue
• Soft brush for textured surfaces
• Air dry completely

Avoid:

• High-pressure washing (damages EPS surface)
• Harsh chemicals or solvents (can melt or damage material)
• Wire brushes or abrasive scrubbing
• Hot water over 140°F (may deform material)

Repair Procedures

Common Repairs

Minor repairs:

• Small cracks: Usually don't affect performance
• Surface scratches: Cosmetic only
• Loose spacers: Press back into place or re-glue

Recommended repair materials:

• Water-based wood glue: Gorilla Glue or Titebond work well for bonding
• Water-based wood putty: For filling holes
• Clamps: Use to hold pieces together while glue dries

Safety strap replacement:

1. Remove old strap (cut off if worn)
2. Clean attachment points
3. Install new strap per manufacturer instructions
4. Test security before relying on it

Frame repairs:

• Loose top bars: Re-glue or replace
• Broken foundation: Remove and replace
• Damaged end bars: Replace entire frame
• Warped frames: Usually need complete replacement

When to Replace vs. Repair

Replace when:

• Structural integrity is compromised
• Cracks affect hive seal or strength
• Repair costs approach replacement costs
• Component no longer functions properly

Repair when:

• Damage is minor and fixable
• Quick fix restores full function
• Significant cost savings over replacement
• Component still has useful life

Extending Equipment Lifespan

Preventive Maintenance

Protecting from sun:

• Light-colored covers reflect heat and reduce UV exposure
• Shade when possible (natural or artificial)
• Optional: A coat of water-based paint provides additional UV protection
• Extra protection: Some users apply water-based polyurethane over paint for maximum durability

Protecting from moisture:

• Proper positioning: Slight forward tilt allows water drainage
• Adequate drainage: Ensure water doesn't pool around hives
• Ventilation: Proper airflow prevents moisture buildup inside
• Regular checks for moisture-related issues

Protecting from pests:

• Mouse guards: Prevent rodent damage during inactive periods
• Regular inspections: Early detection prevents major damage
• Clean storage: Remove food sources that attract pests
• Proper sealing: Close gaps during storage

Protecting from severe weather:

• Hail: In areas with serious hail (golf ball size at high speed), consider placing a piece of plywood or sheet metal on top of the hive to deflect impact. Some beekeepers in hail-prone areas already do this for wooden hives.
• Snow: Build or install a small overhang to keep snow from piling directly at the entrance
• Flooding: For flood-prone areas, there are specialty hive stands that float and tether to keep hives above water level (ask about availability)
• Wind: Proper anchoring with safety straps; add weight to tops if needed

Handling Best Practices

Preventing damage during use:

• Gentle handling: Avoid dropping or throwing equipment
• Proper lifting: Use two hands, lift from stable points
• Careful stacking: Stack securely to prevent falls
• Appropriate tools: Use proper hive tools, avoid excessive force

Transport care:

• Secure loading to prevent shifting
• Protect from weather during transport
• Cushion to prevent vibration damage
• Careful unloading

Storage Best Practices

Seasonal Equipment Storage

Preparing equipment for storage:

1. Clean thoroughly: Remove all honey, wax, and propolis
2. Freeze anything with old wax for 48+ hours to kill wax moth eggs
3. Double-bag in thick black trash bags to protect from wax moths
4. Dry completely: No moisture remaining
5. Inspect for damage: Note repairs needed
6. Organize: Separate ready-to-use from needs-repair items

Storage conditions:

• Dry location
• Pest-proof (mice, moths)
• Temperature stable (avoid extremes)
• Good airflow
• Accessible organization

Long-Term Storage

For equipment stored for years:

• Extra thorough cleaning
• Absolutely no moisture
• Sealed containers
• Indoor storage preferred
• Check annually even when stored

Reactivating stored equipment:

• Inspect for pest damage or deterioration
• Clean again (dust, spider webs)
• Check that all components function
• Minor repairs before use
• Test assembly

Record Keeping

Equipment Maintenance Log

Track for each hive:

• Installation date
• Major repairs (date and description)
• Replacement parts
• Cleaning schedule
• Condition notes

Online resources for tracking: Apps like Hive Tracks and similar beekeeping management tools let you log equipment status along with colony data. Some beekeepers prefer spreadsheets or notebooks—use whatever system you'll actually maintain.

Benefits of Good Records

• Predict when replacements will be needed
• Track true cost of hive ownership
• Documentation for warranty claims
• Higher resale value with documented history

The Bottom Line

While Primal Bee hives require significantly less maintenance than traditional equipment, regular care and inspection ensure maximum lifespan and continued optimal performance.

The key maintenance tasks:

1. Spring: Clean up winter debris, check for mouse damage, prepare for the season
2. Summer: Monitor honey flows, keep up with super additions
3. Fall: Harvest leaving food for bees, freeze and store equipment properly
4. Winter: External monitoring, snow management, repair stored equipment
5. Year-round: Weekly visual checks, address issues promptly

Invest time in proper maintenance to protect your investment and support healthy, productive colonies.

Questions about maintaining your Primal Bee equipment? Office hours are available for specific guidance.