Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Astrid]

Any knowledge on the health risk for the bees when using glue in the hive construction? Eg followerboards in plywood or other ready glued materials? I hear about formaldehyde emission, and world like to know about options. Happy for quick replies as I am in the prosess of building! Thanks!

[biobee]

Unlikely to be a problem. Seal the wood with shellac if in doubt.

[rmcpb]

I have used plywood in hives for years and not seen any problems. If you are worried just chuck it out in the sun for a few days and any formaldehyde type solvents will quickly cook off.

Cheers
Rob.

[J Smith]

I agree with Rob & Phil.
Yes plywood uses Formaldehyde glues- different ones dependant on the original plywood spec, but apple seeds contain arsenic and apricot pips contain cyanide, you would have to eat a lot of all three to make you sick.
If you were to make your hive from "fresh" from the factory plywood and keep them that enclosed that the air could not flow- it might be a problem.
If using re-purposed plywood of a fair age that has been weathered, I do not see a problem.
If the plywood was originally a low grade or interior plywood not meant to see the weather, you may have some problems with the glue breaking down and the veneer's delaminating, so a good coat of paint on the exterior may not go amiss. If worried about the interior- coat as Phil suggests.

[Astrid]

Thank you! Fantastic with this response!
I do not have any old, weather worn material, so I will leave it out in the air as long as possible and then use shellac.

However, I think it is risky to think that what is tolerable for us large human beeings is as tolerable for the small bees.

This is quite a project for me, so your help is really needed and appreciated!