- Joined
- Oct 16, 2012
- Messages
- 18,417
- Reaction score
- 9,848
- Location
- Fareham, Hampshire UK
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 6
I know there have been more than a few threads on here about hive painting but .... in readiness for splitting my Long Deep Hive I now have two Paynes Poly Hives. Cheapskate that I am I picked up a bent tin of B&Q Garden Colours (almost identical to Ronseal Shades) for half price ... I've always used this sort of paint on the other polys I have and it works very well... 2 coats to cover.
However, this tin is a very plain grey colour ... which I don't mind ... but the two hives will be sitting pretty close to each other after the split and at present they look (boringly) identical in battleship grey.
I read somewhere that bees like some sort of visual indication as well as their other senses to identify their own hive once they get close enough so the question I would put to the forum is: Should I paint a different contrasting colour or shape on each of the hives and if so is it best on the roof or above the entrance or both ?
I have various colours in the workshop - remnants from past projects so my mean habits would not be jeopardised.
Or is hive art just something to entertain beekeepers ?
However, this tin is a very plain grey colour ... which I don't mind ... but the two hives will be sitting pretty close to each other after the split and at present they look (boringly) identical in battleship grey.
I read somewhere that bees like some sort of visual indication as well as their other senses to identify their own hive once they get close enough so the question I would put to the forum is: Should I paint a different contrasting colour or shape on each of the hives and if so is it best on the roof or above the entrance or both ?
I have various colours in the workshop - remnants from past projects so my mean habits would not be jeopardised.
Or is hive art just something to entertain beekeepers ?
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