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Astrid House Bee
Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Oslo, Norway
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:01 pm Post subject: Glue |
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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! |
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biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Unlikely to be a problem. Seal the wood with shellac if in doubt. |
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rmcpb Scout Bee

Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 447 Location: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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J Smith Foraging Bee
Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 169 Location: New Zealand, South Island, Southland, Riversdale.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Astrid House Bee
Joined: 21 Jan 2014 Posts: 15 Location: Oslo, Norway
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:47 am Post subject: |
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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! |
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Quality Top Bar Hives by Andrew Vidler
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Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
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