Painting hive

[Newbeebeekeeper]

Hey everyone

Has anyone got any ideas about whats good to paint hives with or is it just what colour least annoys you? And will any shed or fence paint do?

 

[MerryBee]

I use Cuprinol Garden Shades which is safe for bees, and comes in a huge range of colours.

Some other shed/fence paints I have seen are definitely not safe. Read the tin carefully, and if in any doubt contact the manufacturer.
This is what cuprinol told me when I enquired:

"Thank you for your email. For the exterior of Beehives our Cuprinol Garden Shades can be used, providing the beehive is empty during application and left for a minimum of 48 hours to fully dry and cure before the bees are introduced back into the environment."

Most people dont paint their hives though.

 

[For want of a better word]

Hey everyone

Has anyone got any ideas about whats good to paint hives with or is it just what colour least annoys you? And will any shed or fence paint do?

Do not use CREOSOTE !

It taints the honey.... as a beekeeper not so far from me in Devon found out a couple of years ago!!

Nadelik Lowen

 

[pargyle]

I

Most people dont paint their hives though.

Not quite true ... Cedar hives do not need painting as the cedar has natural oils in the timber which preserve it and the wood finally turns to a lovely silver grey which will last for 50+ years - and probably more.

However ... Cheaper hives made out of pine or other softwoods DO need protection with a coat or two of paint on a regular basis.

Also Poly hives need a coat of paint to protect them from the effects of UV.

Personally - I like painted hives - lots of creative things you can do. There's a few threads on here about hive paint and painting if you play with the search function for a few minutes - lots of info available.

I tend to buy water based exterior paint (Shades look alikes) from the likes of Aldi and Lidl when they have them on promotion - lots cheaper and just as effective as the Ronseal stuff.

Most people use exterior masonry paint on poly hives.

Avoid spirit based paints unless you can leave them for a good old time to cure as they all have slow release solvents in them that can take a month or more to leave the paint.

 

[Wingy]

https://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=15003&stc=1&d=1513185768

A bit of masonry paint and a bit of artistic with a bit of gloss. Not got a photo of my 7 year old daughters hive yet. It's fluorescent pink!

 

[pargyle]

https://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=15003&stc=1&d=1513185768

A bit of masonry paint and a bit of artistic with a bit of gloss. Not got a photo of my 7 year old daughters hive yet. It's fluorescent pink!

A bee that size should frighten the wasps off ... probably frighten the elephants as well so you won't be bothered by them !

 

[Beefriendly]

Also Poly hives need a coat of paint to protect them from the effects of UV.

Worth noting for those who like poly hives but hate having to paint them....(I'm one)...that the Lyson/Abelo poly hives come already painted and UV proofed so can be used straight from the box...

 

[drex]

Beware of using gloss type paints, which seal the wood so that it does not breathe and can get wet from the inside out. I bought a couple of big tins of Cuprinol clear before it became unavailable. Slap it on my cedar hives every few years. Keeps the nice colour of the wood.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Beware of using gloss type paints, which seal the wood so that it does not breathe and can get wet from the inside out.

I smartened up some old cedar boxes by using exterior gloss. This brood box 'breathes' more than the others causing the paint to blister. They get things pretty steamy in there.

Bright colours attract attention. Thinking of not painting anymore.

. . .. Ben