Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[clydetheguide]

We will be painting our house at about the same time that we will be starting a beehive. Is there any danger to the bees from common house paint ans stains? Thanks.

[J Smith]

From my own casual observations of such practices, bees tend to steer clear of strong paint/varnish scents, so you should be fine.
I have painted hives whilst the bees were in residence and foraging at the time. I can count on one hand the amount of bees that have become stuck in wet paint whilst doing so. Mind you, I do not paint the entrance face of any hive whilst bees are flying and only use waterbased paint, not spirit based.

Depending on how close gardens and flower beds are to your house, you may get visits from the bees while you are painting, but they will be more interested in the flowers than the paint.

One thing to watch for though, if using a scaffold and planks to reach higher spots be aware bees will often use such places as resting spots while flying to and from the hive. If you sit on the plank to paint, there is a chance you may just sit on a bee, or place a hand down on one as you brace yourself to reach that hard to get spot. So keep an eye out for resting bees before you sit.

[Swing Swang]

My observations are different. I used bitumastic paint last year and the bees just kept on landing on it and getting stuck - about 50 dead bees per square foot. Paint a stick, plant it near the apiary and watch what happens before doing the whole house.