>I have been reading all the pro and con of the washing of the honey
>extractor and have not seen anything
>
>about what I do, and now Im concerned.  Im just a small timer, and only
>have a two frame extractor, so
>
>after I was finished for the week, I just left the lid open and the bees
>came and cleaned everything up just
>
>fine.  I then only had to rinse things off.  Anyone see a problem with
>this.  WALT in S.C.
>pondsite@barnwellsc
>
Yes, I think it is a dangerous practice to use bees to clean up any honey in
the extractor or in cappings for the simple reason that spores of diseases
such as AFB and possibly also EFB and chalkbrood will be transferred.  In
the case of AFB, the disease is transmitted by bees feeding larvae with
honey infected with spores.  I believe chalkbrood is even more contagious.
We clean our extractor basically after each honey flow (which might be 4 to
6 extractions over 2 months) and at the end of the season.  We use a
stainless steel extractor and wash with hot water and a hose and then drain
in the sun to ensure no moisture remains - it is the mix of honey and water
which is corrosive.
 
Betty McAdam
HOG BAY APIARY
Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
j.h. & e. mcadam<[log in to unmask]
http://kigateway.eastend.com.au/hogbay/hogbay1.htm