Beginning Beekeeping Supplies: Used Equipment

Beginning beekeeping supplies can be expensive, so learn what to consider when purchasing new or used beekeeping equipment.
We all know how expensive beekeeping can be. After all, most basic extractors begin around the $200 mark and beekeeping hive kits run about $350 and up per colony, and that’s not counting the cost of nuclei, queens, mite treatments, bee suits, smokers, and the rest. So what do many of us do? We opt for as much used equipment as possible so we can rest at night knowing we didn’t break the bank with our new adventure. But is used equipment safe to use? Keep reading to find out.
What Classifies as Used Equipment?
When talking to beekeepers about used equipment, many of us are referring specifically to the woodenware (and plasticware) used to house the colony of honeybees. This includes every item from the deep hive bodies to the honey supers to frames and foundation and queen excluders. Outer covers, inner covers, bottom boards, and hive stands also count as equipment, as do hive feeders, beetle traps, pollen traps — anything that houses the bees and/or goes inside the bee boxes. These are the pieces of equipment that are of most concern when deciding between used and new in regards to colony health and production.

and other extraction equipment as long as they’re sanitized correctly.
However, for the sake of this discussion, equipment also includes the various tools and accessories we use to conduct our beekeeping practices such as hive tools, smokers, bee suits, extractors, uncapping tanks, as well as mite treatment tools. Why? Because these tools and pieces of equipment also share some of the same concerns we see with woodenware.
Spreading Disease
Used equipment can spread disease, more specifically, American Foulbrood (AFB). This bacterial disease, when active, not only kills the original colony, but can wipe out an entire apiary in less than a month. Even worse, AFB spores can remain dormant in used equipment for over 70 years, waiting to emerge when conditions best suit a break from dormancy. Sadly, the only way to end an outbreak to date is through the complete destruction of both the infected colonies and the wooden beekeeping equipment as well. Any beekeeper’s worst nightmare.

This disease is so concerning, in fact, that many states strictly regulate the sale and even the movement of both used equipment and honey bees alike. In Arkansas, for example, I can’t sell any of my honeybees unless they’ve been inspected by our state inspector. However, I can sell, move, or give away my used equipment without inspection. Other states, such as Tennessee, disallow both the movement and the sale of used equipment if there are no honeybees inside. The idea is that if honeybees are present and inspected prior to sale or movement, those colonies should show signs of AFB if they’re infected. Still other states provide no oversight regarding disease control, regardless of the status of equipment or the presence of honeybees, so be sure to check your state laws before purchasing or accepting used equipment. But this still doesn’t answer the question of whether used equipment is safe. To answer that, it’s best to determine your level of comfort regarding risk taking in those states where the transfer of used equipment is allowed. As mentioned already, these pieces of woodenware may harbor AFB spores for up to 70 years. Dragging my great-grandpa’s old beekeeping equipment out of the barn could end in your apiary’s demise. So, how do you decide?
When helping folks make the decision regarding woodenware, I always ask if they’re willing to risk their colonies to save their cash. In my own operation, I use many used pieces of equipment offered to me by two of our region’s largest honey producers with peace of mind. Why? Because I know these men’s operations personally, and I know they take disease prevention seriously. Additionally, I know these beekeepers have their colonies inspected each year, and AFB hasn’t been detected. I also have the benefit of talking directly to our state inspector and I check every year to determine if any outbreaks have occurred.
With an operation that ranges between 150 to 350 colonies in any given year, these pieces of used equipment saved me loads of limited capital during my startup and my operation has flourished for it. I have zero regrets and the risk was worth the saved cash. But this may not work for everyone, making this a very personal decision.

When deciding on used items such as hive tools, extractors, and bee suits, it becomes more about how much use is left in the item than about disease prevention. However, with any items that come into direct contact with the colony, such as hive tools, it’s best to sanitize these tools prior to use with your own colonies. It never hurts to do a bit of research to determine the best manner to do this, dependent upon the material to be sanitized. Some claim torching woodenware cleans the boxes and hive tools, while others say it doesn’t. Use your best judgment in these cases and monitor the bees closely, never hesitating to contact your state apiarist if any concerns arise.
Brand Size Difference
Once you get past the idea of disease, the next question becomes a matter of sizing. Far too often, manufacturers of beekeeping equipment create discrepancies in their sizing that makes mixing and matching various brands a bit problematic for those beekeepers who like to keep everything in their operation uniform. Brand A may be as much as 1/4-1/2” shorter, wider, or longer than Brand B. So, when A and B are stacked, the bees have a nice little ventilation area right around their brood chamber or honey super. For many beekeepers, this is a moment of angst where their eyes start twitching and their foreheads start sweating because it’s too disturbing to see. And while I do say this with humor, it’s a very real issue for those who like order and conformity within their apiaries, so no judgment here.

Still others, however, take less issue with size discrepancies and find ways around it. That would be me. I’m too frugal to allow my own preferences for order and conformity to take cash out of my pocket, so I suck it up and find solutions. Much to my husband’s dismay, my solution to these issues is — far too often— to use various stuffings like pine needles, straw, sticks, and even duct tape to close up those gaps, or I simply use them as ventilation when weather and robbing aren’t concerns. I just watch and laugh as my husband’s eyes twitch while I hand him a towel for his sweaty forehead.
Other Concerns
While disease may not be as much of a concern for items such as extractors, uncapping equipment, and smokers, there are still concerns to consider. Gears, motors, wiring, and the general structure need to be in good, working condition for the best savings, with non-functioning equipment still being a viable option for those who enjoy DIY refurbishing projects.
Compatibility with other equipment in your operation should also be determined before investing in any equipment that can’t be returned if it doesn’t work as needed. However, be comforted in the fact that these pieces of equipment, particularly those required for extraction, are commonly bought and sold as used and are the option many of us take when growing our operations. The savings are far too great to pass up when purchasing high ticket items such as extractors. So, be sure to check around your area and with other beekeepers you know to see if any of these items are available before forking over hard-earned cash for new versions.
The decision to incorporate used beekeeping equipment into one’s operation is a personal choice, regardless of equipment type or function. And while state laws may regulate the sale of used woodenware, there are still money-saving options with other equipment. So don’t be afraid to consider this frugal option when developing your own beekeeping operation. After all, a dollar saved is a dollar earned.
Originally published in the January/February 2025 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.