Staining or varnish on hives

[harvey]

Would stain an or varnish work on hive bodies?   I am sure I would have to let them air for a while but has anyone used varnish instead of paint?  Do the bee's care?

[Two Bees]

I use a semi-transparent stain (Behr) on my hive bodies and it works fine.  I think the important thing is to air the wood out for a few days and don't paint the inside of the hive.

[wfuavenger]

I have stained all of mine and used a clear/semigloss urethane varnish both on the outside only. Check out my blog to see some pics..

[Michael Bach]

My hives are stained with organic black walnut stain.

all you have to do is take the black walnuts off the ground in the fall and let them soak in water for a couple months.  The water is jet black.  It takes a couple coats to get the desired color.

USE GLOVES!  It iwll stain your hands too.  I stain the outsides only and I re-stain every fall.

[harvey]

Hey the walnut things sounds cool,  we have quite a few black walnuts and a lot of them end up going to waist.  I bet ya don't even need the walnuts, probably just the husks?   

[Kansasbert]

I use an oil based marine grade polyurithane and stain in one product.  Only apply to the outside, it weathers well and looks great on cypress gear!

[jajtiii]

wfuavenger - can you provide a link to your blog? I am probably blind, but I do not see it.