Buy and sell locally with Bee-Market – simple, fast, and made for your community.
Buy and sell locally with Bee-Market – simple, fast, and made for your community.
Version: 1.0 • Last updated: 25 September 2025
This page explains Bee Market’s requirements for listing used beehives and hive parts (e.g., brood boxes, supers, floors, roofs, crownboards, feeders, frames without foundation, stands). It focuses on hygiene, disease risk, and accurate condition disclosure so buyers can make safe and informed purchases. This guidance is not legal advice.
Guidance only (not legal advice). Bee diseases and biosecurity rules can change. You are responsible for ensuring your listing complies with UK law and any local restrictions. If you suspect disease or are unsure about cleaning/disinfection, contact your bee inspector or local authority for advice.
Bee-related listings only. Bee Market is a vertical marketplace. We may refuse, hide, or remove any listing at our discretion and may restrict or suspend selling access for repeated or serious breaches.
You may list used hive hardware such as wooden or poly brood boxes, supers, floors, roofs, crownboards, queen excluders, feeders, stands, and empty frames (no comb). Where frames include any residual wax or propolis, you must follow the cleaning rules below and disclose the condition clearly.
Not in scope of this page: live bees (full colonies, nucs, queens). See our separate policy for live bees.
Do not list any equipment that you know or suspect is contaminated with a notifiable disease (e.g., American Foulbrood or European Foulbrood), or that comes from an apiary currently subject to restrictions.
Comb and brood residues: Frames containing old brood comb, slumgum, or obvious dark brood residues are strongly discouraged due to hygiene and disease transmission risks. If offered at all, you must disclose this clearly and price accordingly; Bee Market may remove such listings where risk is unacceptable.
Contaminated plastics/foams: Poly parts exposed to disease or harsh chemicals that cannot be effectively disinfected must not be listed.
Before listing, clean and disinfect used hive components. Choose a method appropriate to the material. The aim is to remove organic residues (wax, propolis, brood remnants) and reduce disease risk.
• Scrape & dry-clean: remove wax/propolis, discard scrapings safely.
• Washing soda solution (hot): degrease wooden tools and runners; rinse and dry thoroughly.
• Scorching (wood only): lightly flame internal wooden surfaces to char residues; avoid joints/glue lines.
• Chemical disinfection: use an appropriate disinfectant per label directions and material compatibility.
• Poly/plastic parts: do not scorch. Use compatible detergents/disinfectants only.
• Frames: ideally supply empty, scraped frames without old brood comb. Consider supplying as frame components only.
If you are unsure whether cleaning was sufficient, do not list the item. For any suspected foulbrood history, seek inspector advice; some items may need to be destroyed rather than reused.
Buyers must understand exactly what they are getting. Use clear, honest grading and disclose defects. Avoid “like new” unless it genuinely matches that standard.
• Refurbished: Professionally cleaned and restored; structurally sound; ready to use.
• Used – Good: Cleaned; minor wear (scuffs, light propolis staining); no rot; joints tight.
• Used – Fair: Functional but visible wear; cosmetic defects; may need minor repair (fill/screw).
• For spares/repair: Cracks, warped timber, rot, stripped threads, or missing parts; not ready to use.
Mandatory disclosures in your description: age/approximate years of use; timber or material type; box size (National, Langstroth, etc.); included parts (e.g., runners, QE, feeder); cleaning/disinfection method and date; any known history of disease/inspections; notable defects (warping, rot, cracked rabbet, damaged frame rest).
Upload clear, well-lit photos. Include close-ups of any defects and all contact surfaces.
• Inside faces of brood boxes/supers (runners, corners, joints).
• Floor/entrance area; roof underside; crownboard surfaces.
• Any staining, scorch marks, repairs, splits, rot, or warped parts.
• Frames (if included): show whether completely empty or any residual wax.
Collection is preferred for used hives to minimise biosecurity risk and transport damage. If posting/courier: remove loose debris; seal small parts in bags; protect corners and joints; label packages “beekeeping equipment – cleaned.” Observe any courier restrictions on used agricultural/biological equipment.
Because used hives can carry biosecurity risk, Sellers may reasonably offer No Returns or Buyer pays return shipping policies on these items. If you accept a return, ensure the item is returned clean and bagged to contain debris. Returned items believed to pose disease risk should not be relisted without appropriate re-cleaning or professional advice.
Tip for buyers: Even if a seller has cleaned the equipment, consider giving it your own clean/disinfection before use, and do not introduce suspect frames or boxes into strong colonies.
If you suspect foulbrood or other serious disease, do not list or sell the item. Seek advice from an inspector. Bee Market may ask for clarification, remove listings, or suspend selling where we identify unacceptable risk.
□ I scraped, cleaned, and where appropriate disinfected all parts.
□ I did not scorch poly/plastic. I used compatible products on plastics.
□ Frames are empty (no old brood comb) or condition is clearly disclosed.
□ I disclosed age, material, box size, known history, and all defects.
□ Photos show inside surfaces, entrances, joints, runners, and any defects.
□ I chose a sensible return policy considering biosecurity risks.
□ I will withdraw the listing and seek advice if disease is suspected.
Note: For official guidance on notifiable bee diseases and biosecurity in the UK, consult your national authority and local bee inspector. Always follow product labels and manufacturer instructions for any disinfectant or cleaning agent.
