I have a stack of lath that I was going to use for the rim of inner covers. I think the lath is treated, though. Will this have a negative effect on the bees?
I know that the fumes from cutting and/or burning treated lumber are supposed to be bad for humans to breathe... just based on that alone I don't think that I'd want to use that wood in a hive. I would think that it could be adverse to the bees as well as possibly contaminate honey due to the humidity in the hive. That is strictly my opinion though.
As outside rims on telescoping covers I can't see any risk. The air flow and moisture are moving outward from under the cover due to the heat from the hive so any fumes should go outward as well.
I should clarify. They would be used for the INNER cover. Just the frame around the cover, more or less.
I wouldn't use them for that. Sorry. Maybe if they were weathered for like a year I would take a chance.
Treated lumber is bad for anything that touches it or breathes fumes from it.
I use lathe - don't know if its treated or not - for rims of my bottom boards and as a spacer under my top board (no inner cover. what a silly idea). I have noticed no effects on the bees which cannot be more readily explained by weather.
If you're worried, paint or coat with epoxy resin.
I use pressure treated plywood for bottom boards and have not had any problems.
Quote from: pdmattox on July 28, 2009, 06:13:31 PM
I use pressure treated plywood for bottom boards and have not had any problems.
I have done this too.
Yes. It will.