Hives: coated, stained, preserved or au naturel?

[Adam Bee]

I am starting to take possession of my first hive parts. The material is cedar.

What’s the general consensus?

Some form of stain or safe preservatives?

Just leave the wood natural on the outside?

I understand that you want nothing unnatural inside the hive, but I’m curious about what’s the best choice outside. And, is it even worth it? Should I just leave it natural wood?

 

[deemann1]

I am starting to take possession of my first hive parts. The material is cedar.

What’s the general consensus?

Some form of stain or safe preservatives?

Just leave the wood natural on the outside?

I understand that you want nothing unnatural inside the hive, but I’m curious about what’s the best choice outside. And, is it even worth it? Should I just leave it natural wood?

Linseed oil

 

[Murox]

Its up to you of course , but I vote Linseed oil,(or almost any other natural plant based oil really) it will replenish any natural oils the cedar has lost during processing and once dried will give an pleasing look to the wood.

 

[Beefriendly]

I would maker a large poly cosy to cover the whole hive with. Then paint the cosy, no need to bother with the cold wooden hive now it's protected from the elements.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Should I just leave it natural wood?

That is what I do, they go a nice grey colour after a while.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Au natural for me...... I'm sure the boxes will outlive me so spending time and money coating them seems a bit of a waste to me!

 

[Ian123]

Saddolin Classic for me, just don’t paint them!!! Un protected boxes get damp during the winter and split during the summer. All my boxes are seconds and there’s always the odd bit of soft heart wood or knots that really do benefit from some form of protection

 

[Swarm]

That is what I do, they go a nice grey colour after a while.

 

[Antipodes]

If a hive is Western Red Cedar, it has naturally occurring chemicals in it which helps delay rot. Pure Tung oil works well with several coats and looks gorgeous on cedar. Other than that, I agree it also looks nice left to weather into a silvery grey colour. Do you remember when that rifle was found in the US? Look at how the wood has aged! Amazing.

https://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/15/us/nevada-century-old-rifle-park/index.html

 

[blackcloud]

https://ibb.co/XSB8rjL

The Steel+Brodie national was sat on the ground unused unprotected for 40 years that I know of.
Knowing it's previous owner,it would certainly not have been new when he acquired it and he certainly would not have performed any maintenance.
Nature has reclaimed the floor and most of the lower brood box(which I have repaired along wth the roof)
The upper BB and super were good to go after just a flame clean,so I would say you could get away without treatment but the way it drank up the linseed oil suggested it could have lasted even longer especially up off the ground.
The WBC is a 'long term project' but is actually better than it looks.
Much more cost effective to just drive 20mins to Maisemores and buy a poly of course but there's actual enjoyment in reviving old kit.

 

[enrico]

Nothing at all for me. I have hives thirty years old, apart from needing to tighten the joints occasionally with a screw they just look a little aged! Aged and needing a screw.......just like me!!
E

 

[Adam Bee]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll roll it around in the mill. Still waiting for some parts, so I’m in no rush.

Thanks again!

 

[Curly green fingers]

All my new wooden hives are left natural but my grandads old boxes have a coat of paint some are almost as old as I am,some are from the late 80s.