Do you have old frames, comb, hiveware or any used equipment associated with beekeeping? We will dispose of it safely.

At Auckland Beekeepers Club we often get offers of used hiveware, while well intentioned with assurances that it is clean and AFB free, it is often from inexperienced beekeepers unaware of the risks of infection. So we now have a blanket policy of not accepting any used hiveware and strongly encouraging members to do likewise. Any used hiveware has a risk of being contaminated with the long-lived AFB spores. We found that suburban beekeepers often didn’t have anywhere to safely dispose of used hiveware, with some even sending it to the tip. By collecting used hiveware and burning it, we can not only take it out of circulation but also raise awareness of the dangers. We started this last spring and it was quite successful, with advice and support from New Zealand Bee Health & Biosecurity, NZBB  (formerly AFB Management Agency). If you know anyone who has old hiveware stored, let them know about us.

Here are a few guidelines when dropping off any hiveware:

• Put in rubbish bags or packing wrap to ensure that it is bee-proof

• $5 per bag, box or equivalent; cash only

• Only pass to a collector between 9am & 11am on Sunday 9th November

• No dumping

• There is NOT a collection point at the beeclub

• Contact us beforehand if you have a lot of gear

Collection points:

Westgate: 28 Northside Drive, drive down past Mitre10 go over the lights to the dead end

Mairangi Bay: Windsor Park carpark, western side opposite church

Western Springs: opposite MOTAT, the carpark next to Caltex

Meadowbank: 98 Abbotts Way, car park for Waiatarua

Manukau: 19 Boundary Road, Clover Park, carpark between tennis club and greyhound track

For more info contact:

Email: admin@aucklandbeekeepersclub.org.nz (note that this is monitored occasionally)

Call: Ken 02108801700