Paint Harmfull to Bees ?

[Spikedog]

I am as a last resort about to paint Miller Feeders (wooden) internally with gloss paint as suggested on the forum to water proof. This will be about my 8th attempt to stop leaking – I have tried various silicones, yacht varnishes etc. and the b~~### things leak live sieves. As I was to apply this Gloss paint I noticed it has High VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Query – Is this harmful to Bee’s ??? P

 

[drstitson]

NO. They are highly volatile so will have gone by the time the feeders are dry enough to use.

DOI: painted a batch of poly feeders in hospital residences this time last year. pity the others sharing the flat!!!!!

 

[Suzi Q]

Try a plastic english rapid type feeder, they don't leak.

 

[madasafish]

molten beeswax seals everything.

 

[Tom Bick]

If the construction is bad then you will always struggle

 

[Goran]

Paraffin wax - used here ( dipped hive parts in it), I have also some treated with it, leaking and durability issues( miller feeders).

 

[madasafish]

Paraffin wax - used here ( dipped hive parts in it), I have also some treated with it, leaking and durability issues( miller feeders).

+1

Used that as well - works well.

 

[psafloyd]

molten beeswax seals everything.

I was also told by an old beekeeper, if you have a bit of a leak, soak the feeder for a couple of days and it will usually resolve it before you put sugar in. It's a bodge, but will do the job.

 

[Little John]

I am as a last resort about to paint Miller Feeders (wooden) internally with gloss paint as suggested on the forum to water proof. This will be about my 8th attempt to stop leaking – I have tried various silicones, yacht varnishes etc. and the b~~### things leak live sieves.

If you've already tried so many different materials, then I'd be concerned that the mating surfaces may now be so contaminated, that getting a good seal with anything will be difficult, if not impossible. My suggestion would be to dismantle the feeders in order to thoroughly clean the mating surfaces - and only then decide on what method of sealing you're going to use.

Personally, I'd use a semi-flexible epoxy resin, but a good resin wood glue would also work well. Evo-stik GripFill is another excellent adhesive/sealant I've recently discovered, but it needs to 'mature' before contact with bees, due to the petroleum fumes which are leeched for a few days after it first sets.

LJ

 

[itma]

Not disagreeing with LJ.

But if you should however decide to use wax (paraffin or bees), a hot air gun (paintstripper thingy) on a low setting and with a bit of wafting should help you get the stuff where it is needed.


I got a new "English" feeder from a local supplier for a tenner recently. Saves a bit of mucking about.