painting

[greenismycolor]

Does anyone paint the inside of their hive boxes? If so or not,  have you noticed that the bees don't like it or it doesn't seem to matter?

[johnnybigfish]

 I think most people leave the inside alone due to toxic materials in the paint. I also think that the bees, after walking all over the place inside a box, will pretty much track wax and propolis and other natural sealants all over the inside walls( This is a theory i just concocted, but it sounds reasonable, huh?)

your friend,
john

[greenismycolor]

yeah it does sound reasonable John. 

I have a brood box that is painted on the inside and the first package bees I put inside swarmed in about 4 days, up up and away over the tree tops never to be seen again. The second package is still there, since the end days of May,  I found some queen cells, 3 empty one with royal jel, so I gave them some brood from my second hive as they appeared to have swarmed too. So, I was wondering was this a mistake to paint the inside or just nature taking it course. What you think?

green

[Michael Bush]

>Does anyone paint the inside of their hive boxes? If so or not,  have you noticed that the bees don't like it or it doesn't seem to matter?

I've never painted the inside on purpose, but I have made boxes out of recycled material that was painted on both sides.  They cover it in propolis and seal it off.

[Robo]

Somewhere along the way, I aquired a few deeps that are painted white on the inside.  I haven't noticed any problems with the bees.   It can't be any worse than the inside of a polystyrene hive.