Hives are 3 years old and in need of a new coat of paint prior to the spring rains. Is it safe to repaint the hives while it is still cold and the bees are not active? I used a water based paint the first time. I am afraid that if I don't paint them they'll further degrade. But, if I do paint them, how do I keep the winter super on top from sticking to the hive body once the paint dries? Would like to paint them without disassembly since it's still cool out. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I think Id pull the boxes to paint them.If you have all the same size boxes you could replace them one at a time until you get them all painted.
Hey Stingtarget,
I have enough spare so I can rotate the woodenware as I recondition it during the winter. I am also cutting down from 10 to 8 frame equipment. A little spare equipment makes it so much easier. Even the economy woodenware had faired pretty well.
PS how are the bees performing for you: Russian vs Italian?
I suggest waiting until it warms up a bit and then move the bees to another box.
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It is important that paint is a such which let moisture from wood.
Paint layer should be thin. Otherwise moisture and sun lifts paint up.
Gottabee,
The Russians are very unpredictable. I always work my hives on the same day. Italians may be very docile or may head butt out of curiosity. The Russians however are almost always terribly aggressive swarming my veil and crawling all over me. Russians don't give up quickly either...I've had to walk away, sometimes 50 yards and still have two or three buzzing on my veil. I say "almost always" agressive for this reason. The Russians were so aggressive that I didn't enjoy working them.....considered selling them or trading for an Italian hive. Towards the end of the season when it was time to remove the honey the bees calmed down a bit. Even removing the surplus I didn't get a single sting and the bees were no where near as aggravated as they had been all summer. I don't know what changed. I hope this entire season is like the end of last!
Finsky - I do paint my hives with a water based non latex paint. If I remember correctly the brand is Glidden and I chose the brand b/c it is readily available and cheaper at Home Depot. Only white paint I have found that did not contain oil or latex. The only drawback is that the pigment does not last as long and the hives will need to be repainted more often.
I'll wait till warmer weather and shuffle the bees to a new box. Paint the current boxes and use them for 2 packages this spring. Go ideas all!
Joel
Can you educate me ? I've never heard of a nonlatex waterbase paint.
Stingtarget!
Too bad about your Russians, maybe you should consider requeening them.I have only had my Russians one year,but they were gentle.I have heard that some strains get more defensive if not requeened.Good luck to you.
Western N.C
Beewhisper
Quote from: beewhisper on February 21, 2007, 08:38:41 PM
Stingtarget!
Too bad about your Russians, maybe you should consider requeening them.
Bad tempered colonies are in every race. It is their natural temper, to ptotect their home.
Strong selection is allways needed that nasty colonies do not continue their stock.