. . . and through the winter with know side effects
So, in the interests of accuracy, would that be "With known side effects" and if so what were they? [one missed character]
or is that "With no known side effects"? [three missing characters in two groups]
The product is sort of damned by faint praise due to your lack of precision. You may as well just have typed the name of the product, explained that it was an alternative to painting and left it at that. You unfortunately didn't actually achieve much more, unless provoking a mild discussion about typos and there significance of course.
Was one of the side effects that the hives were more water proof, and if so, than what?
Your ball . . .
(Glad your beesare doing just fine).
PS - Are you a troll?