What should I do and what is safe for bees. I like a stained hive more for appearance, is this ok? Would it be posible to polyurethane them?
Sure, why not? I do not treat the inside of my boxes, but I have the outsides of some stained, some painted and some with nothing at all. I am leaning towards the latter on my newly acquired boxes but mostly because I am lazy.
o and what about charing the inside of boxes? Is this a good idea or just a wifes tail
Quote from: Shanevrr on March 14, 2011, 11:33:53 PM
o and what about charing the inside of boxes? Is this a good idea or just a wifes tail
New equipment you don't need to worry about it. Burning the insides of the boxes is something done for used equipment you don't know if they were exposed to AFB or not.
Spar Varnish makes a darn pretty stain as it's designed for outdoor use. The only problem is it's a little $$$ unless you catch it on clearance like i do from time to time.
Home improvement stores often have miss mixed paint for 5 bucks a gallon nothing wrong with it top notch paint but the color was mixed wrong.
No it's not a wife tale, but is not necessary. True bees seem to like a home where the insides have been lightly charred, just enough to raise the grain, over smooth lumber but it gets that way over time.
i will char it if its better, not a big deal if it will make a better home for them
Quote from: Shanevrr on March 15, 2011, 08:49:26 AM
i will char it if its better, not a big deal if it will make a better home for them
You can if you want to, but like was said earlier it isnt necessary. If I understood right, you are getting packages. These poor, homeless, broodless, no food stored bees will be happy to have a place, any place, to call home when you get them. Just dump them in your box, throw them some 1:1 and they will be happy as larks.
ok ill leave it alone, thanks