It is February – the calm before the storm. Bees are growing and just waiting to burst forth once warmer weather and flower blooms arrive. Beekeepers, meanwhile, are thinking about what equipment they need for the coming season. Should I order more boxes or more frames? Spring is coming.

One chore I have not undertaken before is the cleaning of frames. Last year and I should have done it, and this year I really just need to. After five years I can no longer put it off. I have some time next week and am hoping to make this a priority. Turns out it is not a fun activity, removing wax and propolis to clean and ready a frame for a new season. An image of each is shown in the picture.

In the picture are some of the tools I’ve been using, in additional to a serrated knife and a hive tool. On the right is a standard box cutter. On the left is an automotive tool used to clean out the nooks and crannies. The suggestion for this tool was in a video from the beekeeper’s corner podcast, though I can’t seem to find this again right now. Wish me luck!

May you prosper and find honey.