Historic creosote and effects on cedar

[Rory Fields]

My cousin used to farm somewhat, and has kindly given me some old National boxes, some cedar and some pine and all creosoted. I know it's banned for us joe public now, but wondered if when dry as it is, it would or could pose any harm to either the bees, their honey, or I've read cedar actually degrades more rapidly when creosoted - anyone else read this or just scorch em/acetic for disease and press em into service as per? Particularly intrigued by the notion that creosote could somehow actually accelerate the demise of WRC-made hives. Not otherwise inclined to treat the cedar with linseed or any other preservative- too costly and time-consuming for a start. Cheers!

 

[Sutty]

It sounds  really unlikely to accelerate decomposition. It was banned for amateur use due to concerns re carcinogenicity but still available for "professional" use. Maybe avoid it around the hive entrance, so bees don't walk all over it (though once really dry which takes ages i wouldn't worry), otherwise just use them.
Incidentally really good for chicken coops as it kills redmite - "just saying"

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

wondered if when dry as it is, it would or could pose any harm to either the bees, their honey,

worked with cresosoted Langstroths out in Africa, bees have no issues with them, swarms move into them with no fuss, in fact the main beekeeping suppliers in South Africa sell their Langstroths with a choice of plain wood or cresosote dipped.

 

[rolande]

My cousin used to farm somewhat, and has kindly given me some old National boxes, some cedar and some pine and all creosoted. I know it's banned for us joe public now, but wondered if when dry as it is, it would or could pose any harm to either the bees, their honey, or I've read cedar actually degrades more rapidly when creosoted - anyone else read this or just scorch em/acetic for disease and press em into service as per? Particularly intrigued by the notion that creosote could somehow actually accelerate the demise of WRC-made hives. Not otherwise inclined to treat the cedar with linseed or any other preservative- too costly and time-consuming for a start. Cheers!

We have a lot of old boxes that were creosoted many years ago, the timber is still fine and in fact we can only tell which ones were treated if there's ever a need to cut into one (to repair damage) then the creosote can be smelled for sure.

Going forwards, as things stand if my memory is correct, beehive treatment is not on the current list of permitted uses for the product.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Not otherwise inclined to treat the cedar with linseed

No, I agree, that's a waste of time as the oil goes mouldy and the box looks grey and miserable.

One year in Norfolk I went into a rural yard to buy local honey and there in the Spring sunshine were laid out a hundred or so boxes, just creosoted that day. The smell was lovely, but while I was waiting for change I peered into the boxes and saw that they'd creosoted the insides of the boxes as well.