Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda and soda lye, is a chemical widely used in various industries. Due to its strong destructive effect, it is often used by beekeepers as a product for cleaning and disinfecting beehives or beekeeping equipment. Its use is one of the methods of preventing the development of infectious diseases in bees, in addition to the administration of antibiotics.
Before using sodium hydroxide, care should be taken to thoroughly clean the contaminated surface – usually it is done by removing dirt (wax or putty residues) from the walls of the hive. Then, apply a 2-3% caustic soda water solution to the disinfected surface with a brush or a tampon. Smaller elements such as frames, feeders etc. can be immersed in the solution. After the disinfection process with soda lye is completed, the hive walls should be additionally rinsed with water – the product has a tendency to clump and stain on the cleaned surfaces – and then make sure that the structure is thoroughly dried. Note – it is a highly caustic product, therefore gloves and protective glasses must be used.
Sodium hydroxide is available from distripark.eu
* This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use / application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not take any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.
Automatically translated article, original version in Polish.