staining hives

[shelley]

I recently have seen beekeeper stain their hives instead of painting. I'm wondering what type of stain would you put on them?

[Michael Bush]

Any exterior stain would probably work.  I've been dipping mine in beeswax and gum rosin:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesdipping.htm

[Mklangelo]

I recently have seen beekeeper stain their hives instead of painting. I'm wondering what type of stain would you put on them?

I painted my first hives and it's allot of work.  I'll be staining them from now on.

Since I was a painter for many years, I went the full monty... one coat of top grade acrylic primer and three finish coats of top grade gloss exterior latex.  Way too much work.  I'm going to go with two or three coats of a top line exterior semi-transparent stain.  Probably a clear finish ( the procuct is called CWF or Clear Wood Finish) just to provide UV protection, I don't want a dark color since it would make the hives too hot in summer.  In winter I can still wrap the hives for the protection from extreme cold. 

I really like MB's method but I just don't have the room for it.  Maybe someday I will. 

[JP]

I recently have seen beekeeper stain their hives instead of painting. I'm wondering what type of stain would you put on them?

I use an exterior acrylic stain and add a mildecide to the mix to help with rot.

[Brian D. Bray]

The purpose of painting (or staining) a hive box is the same reason you paint or stain your house.  It helps in extending the life of the materials.  Back in the day when I could buy 100% cedar hive bodies I didn't worry about the longevity too much as it takes cedar a long time to decompose.  Pine on the other had seems almost instantanious in comparison.  A dollars worth of paint (or stain) can prolong the use-abiliity of a hive body for several years.  It's an economical thing.