Teak Oil ?? Not convinced.

[Tonych224]

Hi been reading plenty on this but remain unconvinced whether its ok to do or not.

I want to keep my hives as wood and just treat so they retain their colour a little longer.

I bought some Teak Oil, a major DIY chains own brand... Now all the Teak Oil they have states they are high in VOC's is this a problem for the bees??
My intention is to paint now with it and let it air in the garden for a couple of months before introducing a Nuc to it In the spring.

Welcome your thoughts

 

[Davidwd]

I use raw linseed oil

 

[pargyle]

Hi been reading plenty on this but remain unconvinced whether its ok to do or not.

I want to keep my hives as wood and just treat so they retain their colour a little longer.

I bought some Teak Oil, a major DIY chains own brand... Now all the Teak Oil they have states they are high in VOC's is this a problem for the bees??
My intention is to paint now with it and let it air in the garden for a couple of months before introducing a Nuc to it In the spring.

Welcome your thoughts

The VOC's in the stuff are just the solvents to carry the actual oil into the wood - they will evaporate fairly quickly leaving the timber impregnated with the teak oil ... if you are leaving the hives exposed to the weather for a couple of months any VOC's will be long gone. Would only treat the outer surfaces of the hives though (stating the obvious ~ sorry !). To make the treatment last you would just need to rub a teak oil soaked cloth over the surface once a year .... probably OK for your supers when they are in storage but not sure that it would be a good idea on brood box, once populated, though.

 

[rayz_x]

If you want to oil it there are oils made 'food grade'. I believe Danish Oil is used for kitchen worktops - less likely to be high VOC but certainly shouldn't be toxic? IK*A do an oil for worktops and cutting boards - completely clear and looks like baby oil. Don't know whether anyone else has tried these?

Ray

 

[dpearce4]

this is the cheapest linseed oil i have found.

http://www.sprcentre.com/Online-Shop-Categories/Equine-Digestion-Aids/NAF-Linseed-Oil-5-litres

and as its for horses im sure its ok to treat hives.

 

[user 6228]

it runs off kingspan

 

[Tonych224]

Thanks all. I will continue with the Teak Oil, was just concerned by the VOC's

 

[domino]

I use boiled linseed, although it's important to read the label to make sure they've not added anything to it. Boiled dries faster.

 

[REDWOOD]

The clear 5 year wood treatment works well

 

[REDWOOD]

teak oil is just a Marketing term for the use on teak, it is mineral based but could have a whole list of other chemicals, if you go for the r@nseal brand it is very high in VOCs with low protection, you would be better off going for the r@nseal hard furniture oil which is low on VOCs and has a medium protection. Cuprin@l 5 year protection has no VOCs and high protection

 

[Outlander]

Osmo UV Protection Oil 410, two coats last for 2-3 years then 1 coat will last for the next couple of years. No biocides and also allows the wood to breathe and rain beads off of the hive. Little expensive but a little goes a long way