CleanBee™ vs. Bleach: Safer, Bee-Friendly Chalkbrood Control

HOCl (Hypochlorous Acid) Advantage

CleanBee’s active ingredient is HOCl: a weak acid our bodies naturally produce. It’s highly effective against fungal pathogens like Chalkbrood, yet non-toxic and safe around kids, pets, beneficial microbes, and bees.

We partnered with BrioTech, a local Woodinville, WA company that created the only stable form of HOCl, to formulate CleanBee™ specifically for solitary bees.

• Effective on fungus, bacteria, spores, and viruses.
• Bee-friendly: mild, temporary chlorine scent; non-irritating.
• Used broadly in daycares, hospitals, and produce sections.

Bleach also kills pathogens, but its harsh odor and residue can deter bees and irritate eyes, skin, and lungs — and it harms beneficial microbes on cocoon surfaces.

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Storage & Shelf Life

• Store CleanBee™ in a cool, dark place.
• CleanBee™ has a shelf life of about three years. Replace when its potency declines.

• Clean cocoons thoroughly in cool water. Gently pat dry and lightly mist CleanBee™ on all sides.
• Do not use CleanBee™ as a replacement for washing cocoons; it’s a post-wash supplement for Chalkbrood and mold control.
• If mold appears in your HumidiBee™ or on cocoons during winter storage, rewash, pat dry, and spritz CleanBee™.
• Rinse HumidiBee™ pads in warm, soapy water, let dry, then evenly spritz CleanBee™ on both sides of pads and cocoons.

Pro Tip: A little goes a long way! Only apply a light mist to visibly affected areas to extend your bottle’s life.

• During harvest, lightly apply CleanBee™ only to areas impacted with Chalkbrood.
• Remove visible spores and spritz both top and bottom tray surfaces where contact occurred.
• Work the liquid into the wood with your fingers for full coverage.
• Store CleanBee™ in a cool, dark location; replace after about three years.