Some lids crack/fail so don't last more than 2 or 3 years. I have some 3 gallon fermenting buckets which I purchased from a local homebrew shop and they are excellent, with a flexible lid that seals well - I've had them for about 5 years and they are as good as new.. And so far, no fermenting has occurred in them!
May your bees read the same books as you do.