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exmar Nurse Bee
Joined: 16 Apr 2014 Posts: 28 Location: SE Ohio, USA
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 8:39 pm Post subject: Exterior finish for TBH |
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Hi Folks,
Finally getting around to finishing the TBH I built last year, it's built, just have to apply a finish or coating to the exterior. I followed the plan in the "Barefoot Beekeeper," legs are PT 2X4, Body is 1" rough sawn oak, lid is 3/4" pine and 1/2" plywood with aluminum flashing. I was going to mix melted beeswax with linseed oil and "treat" the body, however it occurred to me that the Langs I have do OK with exterior latex paint. I have the paint, picking up linseed oil wouldn't be a major issue if that's preferred. Never painted rough sawn wood though. After sitting in the barn for a year, the wood is dry enough to absorb whatever is applied.
If it makes any difference, going to set this up as a "trap hive" with "Swarm Commander" as a lure. Never used that product, however have read enough posts to try it. There are two feral colonies in the woods where I'm going to place it, as we're into swarm season, maybe I'll get lucky.
So, paint or linseed oil/beeswax?
Thanks for your time,
Ev |
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R Payne Foraging Bee
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 123 Location: USA, Kansas, Wichita
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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A quality exterior paint will provide a bit more protection for the wood until it needs repainting (a few to several years).
Linseed oil and wax are likely a bit more environmentally friendly but takes many applications to reach the same level of protection and that will take several weeks to fully cure out.
For what it's worth, mine got exterior latex and the bees don't seem to be bothered by that at all.
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Trip Foraging Bee

Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Posts: 130 Location: USA, New York, Westchester
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 1:44 am Post subject: |
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I think we obsess way too much about the exterior of our hives. I have hives that have latex paint, linseed oil/wax, and some with nothing. None of them seem any worse off than the others. I do have roofs that keep the water off the hives and legs that keep them up and over any water that splashes on the ground, and my roofs all have either latex or polyurethane coatings. Besides the roof panels I don't think the hive bodies really need anything and what you put on them is mostly for your ethstetic benefit. |
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AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 11:29 am Post subject: |
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I tend to use linseed oil with or without beeswax this is as much about ease and cost as anything else. When I have had animal friendly paints (for the chicken house etc) I have used those. I think the linseed oil finish weather nicer and stands out less. This might be useful if your apiary can be seen form a public road and there is a chance of theft. |
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exmar Nurse Bee
Joined: 16 Apr 2014 Posts: 28 Location: SE Ohio, USA
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 2:34 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the responses. I'll use the latex pain I have, would have to buy linseed oil and always like to use up paint where possible. Hate to send hardened paint off to the landfill.
R. Payne, good "heads up" on repeated applications and drying time. Every couple of years I "paint" the wooden handles of all the stick tools (hoes, rakes, shovels, etc.) with linseed oil and had forgotten how long it takes to soak in and dry.
Thanks again,
Ev |
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ingo50 Scout Bee
Joined: 30 May 2014 Posts: 311 Location: Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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Remember to use raw linseed oil and not boiled. |
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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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