can I use colored stain to paint my hives?

[marliah]

I'm completely new to this, just got my hive today and am picking up my nucs on Saturday.

I was told I should paint the hive, but I was wondering if it would be ok for me to use a colored (like pink or green) wood stain and sealant instead? any reason I shouldn't do that?

Thanks in advance!

Tara

[annette]

I believe you can paint them any color you want, as long as you do not paint the insides where the bees will live. Also if the stain has a strong smell, I would let them air out in the sun until any smells do not linger.

By the way, Tara, welcome to the beeforum. Ask away any questions you may have and someone will always come to help you here.
I started beekeeping April 2006 with one hive, and now have 2. I never could have made it without the help from this forum. So many things come up, so many challenges and sometimes you just need help ASAP. Well you will get it here.

Good luck with the transferring of the nuc and show us some photos after you paint the hive. OH you might have to ask permission to post photos at first. New people are not allowed to post right away.

Take care
Annette

[doak]

I use a good flat exterior paint with 2 or 3 coats. I like "bull frog green" and dull white.
doak

[Barbara]

We used an exterior latex that we got at Lowe's for $5 in the mis-tinted section.  So our hives are powder blue  :-D

[Michael Bush]

Only do the outside and you can use most anything you'd paint a house with.  Or skip it:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#stoppainting

[a wannabee]

I used a honey maple stain because I wanted to keep it somewhat natural looking. The only problem I see I may have is that it is for indoor use. It doesnt seem to have hurt them yet. I bought the stain from Lowes. Also it was a one-step stain that also had polyurethane in it to protect it so I only gave it one or two coats and it was done.

[MustbeeNuts]

We used an exterior latex that we got at Lowe's for $5 in the mis-tinted section.  So our hives are powder blue  :-D

Yup same here but I paid $8.00 for mine , sorta steel blue/grey.

[Eshu]

I used deck stain/sealer made by Behr.  It works just fine - and it has silicone in it for UV protection.  The UV protection is why some people argue against transparent stains.

[saskbeeman]

One of my beekeeper neighbors uses latex stain on all his boxes, and it seems to be holding up well (almost 10 years and counting).  Try to stand clear of oil based paints and stains, because it traps moisture from the bees in between the wood and the paint, causing it to peel.  As for colour,  If some of your brood boxes are bright warm colours, they may catch most of the drifting bees, leaving your colonies uneven, so it is best to stick with cool colours (green, blue, purple, grey, white).  As for honey supers, anything goes here. 

[JP]

We used an exterior latex that we got at Lowe's for $5 in the mis-tinted section.  So our hives are powder blue  :-D

Yep, exterior (oops) latex, and it has a mildecide in there, all for $5.00 @ H.D. I really like this color.
http://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April282008/photo#5194635178743487538



...JP

[dpence]

I use exterior latex with good luck.  As far as color, just what ever strikes my wife's fancy except pink...LOL.  You can pick up cans of oops paint for a buck sometimes.  Frugal never hurts.

David

[annette]

Pink!! Wow I never thought of that. What a great idea for 60,000 little girls. Pink, yes I must, I Must!!!


Annette