Paynes Poly nuc feeders leaking

[Welshy]

Hi

Bought a load of paynes poly nucs, painted them with masonry paint. Whent to inspect them yesterday after feeding with syrup the day before and most the nucs are leaking the syrup! Purchased a few last year, used the same paint no problem!

Any suggestions? We want the bees going in strong for the winter so want to avoid transferring them to another box.

 

[Jimmy]

Have you painted inside the feeder? It's not clear whether you have. I paint mine with gloss paint and haven't had any issues.

 

[Garry R]

I had a Swienty one like this. It is horrible when this happens as the wasps get cracking. Once the polystyrene is impregnated with syrup even when you seal them up the wasps eat into the boxes from the outside. In addition the whole box supports mould. Definitely paint with gloss or a few coats of Ronseal wood stain which woks well but before you use them.

 

[Welshy]

Have you painted inside the feeder? It's not clear whether you have. I paint mine with gloss paint and haven't had any issues.

Hi Jimmy, I did but with masonry paint, which Gloss paint do you use? How long do you let dey before using the box?

 

[Welshy]

I had a Swienty one like this. It is horrible when this happens as the wasps get cracking. Once the polystyrene is impregnated with syrup even when you seal them up the wasps eat into the boxes from the outside. In addition the whole box supports mould. Definitely paint with gloss or a few coats of Ronseal wood stain which woks well but before you use them.

That’s what I fear will happen now. Well, lesson learnt the hard way. Will take more care to cover next time!

Wasn’t keen on using gloss because of the fumes. Seems it’s normal practice though.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Jimmy]

Hi Jimmy, I did but with masonry paint, which Gloss paint do you use? How long do you let dey before using the box?

Probably the cheapest in B&Q or the one where I had some left over from decorating. So long as the paint isn't tacky I'd be happy to use it. I often use thymolated syrup so I'm not too concerned about paint fumes, I don't think the bees are bothered either.

 

[Swarm]

Fumes? Most gloss paint is water based these days, dries fast, no fumes.

 

[biglongdarren]

I bought a few and painted the inside with oil based satin with sand mixed into it, left about two weeks and all have bees in them now feeding and working away. Fumes not annoying them from what I can see.

 

[enrico]

Why not use pva

 

[JamezF]

Why not use pva

I think PVA is generally only water resistant, so may fail if it is immersed?

James

 

[Welshy]

Why not use pva

We found a waterproof PVA that we’re going to try. And some gloss just in case. We bought some nucs from B S Honey and swapped them over, interestingly they only tell you to paint the outside.

We just hope we haven’t upset the bees too much!

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

We found a waterproof PVA that we’re going to try. And some gloss just in case. We bought some nucs from B S Honey and swapped them over, interestingly they only tell you to paint the outside.

We just hope we haven’t upset the bees too much!

Very few of our BS nuc feeders are painted on the inside.
We were advised by our paint supplier not to use any type of paint in the feeders unless certified food safe.

 

[Welshy]

Very few of our BS nuc feeders are painted on the inside.
We were advised by our paint supplier not to use any type of paint in the feeders unless certified food safe.

Interesting, thanks. It didn’t feel right to paint the inside but it seems to be common practice.