How To Paint a Beehive – [A Simple Guide]
If you are new to beekeeping you likely purchased a new hive that needs to be painted. Painting beehives is done mostly to protect the wooden parts from weather. Painted hive parts last longer without rotting. These useful tips will help you understand how to paint a beehive in a safe way that does no harm to your bees.
Tips for How To Paint Beehives
Regardless of the method used, beekeeping equipment should be painted several weeks before installing bees. Time is required for it to air out and any paint fumes to dissipate.
For those of you with used beekeeping equipment-that needs sprucing up, a new coat of paint often makes a big difference.
Does it matter to the bees? Are painted hives better? So much to consider on this topic. Its okay to be fancy but you don’t have to over think the decision too much.
Do You Have to Paint Your Hive?
No, you do not have to paint your beehives. Honey bees do not seem to care about hive color or painted vs unpainted. Bees live in hollow trees and they have no special color.
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Does it really matter than much? The major reason beekeepers paint their hives is wood preservation. Unless you purchase cypress wooden-ware (or plastic hives), your bee boxes will likely be made of pine.
I love the way pine wood smells but it does not hold up long term when exposed to the weather. A coat of paint is a small price to pay to extend the life of your equipment.
Proper Hive Assembly First
The best paint job in the world won’t help your bees if the equipment assembly is shoddy. This is true whether you build your own hive or purchase one ready to paint.
When you are assembling your own beehive parts, be sure to nail the wooden boxes together tightly. You also used glue on all the connecting parts – didn’t you? Yes I’m sure you did.
Any quality wood glue will help make your frame and box joints sturdy. Yes, you really do need to nail and glue them both.
Fail to do so, and chances are that you will one day regret it. Good wood glue is easily available at all home improvement stores. Titebond is my favorite. .
Check to make sure that your box is square and in the proper form. Because Langstroth hive boxes are stacked, we want each one to be sturdy and square to give good support.
And… well I don’t know how to say this but – make sure the handles (and the frame rests -where the frames will sit) are not upside down. Yes, it happens.
Which Beehive Parts Should You Paint?
Paint only the outside parts of your beehive. The bees will take care of polishing the interior with their own propolis. This substance helps sanitize the interior and seals cracks too.
First, paint the outside of the bottom board (around the edges where the first box sits) it will take a lot of wear and tear over the years. Paint the landing board or entryway too. If you want to paint the underneath “bottom” area too, that’s okay.
Be sure to paint seams, corners and exposed joints. Our goal is to coat the raw wood for protection from rain, snow etc.
After finishing the bottom board, paint the outsides of your other boxes and of your telescoping top. Only the wooden surfaces that are exposed to the rain need paint.
Beehive tops and bottom boards are the first pieces of beekeeping equipment to fail. This is because they are the main protectors (top and bottom) for the colony inside.
Nothing inside the hive needs paint. Do not paint frames, inside walls of the boxes, inner cover or inside of the telescoping top.
Hive Stands Prolong the Life of Equipment
Placing your hive up off the ground on a hive stand will prolong the life of your wooden-ware and help with pests.
If you would rather not purchase a hive stand, make one. Just be sure that it is sturdy. Mature hives can become very heavy. Raising the hives up a bit can also help your paint last longer as the wood has some protection from the wet ground.
Best Beehive Colors
Most bee boxes are painted with light colors. However, you really can choose any color that you wish. I have seen some amazing painted hive designs.
Detailed scenes with vibrant colors transform your apiary into a work of art. From simple shapes to detailed landscapes, the possibilities are endless. We humans enjoy having fun with it (the bees really don’t care).
Why Are Beehives Often Painted White?
Do beehives have to be painted white? Heck , no. Though, a beekeeper may choose to stick with a traditional color like white. Or, maybe you would like a row of pastel hives like my “rainbow row” .
Hives painted in light colors are easier for the bees to cool during hot July days. If you live in a region without hot Summers, you may consider a slightly darker shade.
Beekeepers living in neighborhoods often use tan or green colors for their hives. This helps them blend into the landscape rather than stand out. They are less noticeable.
Best Paint for Beehives
What is the best beehive paint to use? Stains, varnish and various dipping materials are used by large scale beekeepers with hundreds of hives.
For beginner beekeepers, it is easiest to use regular latex (water-based) paint for your hives. This type of paint is easy to find and work with. Water clean up is easy and the paint smell goes away sooner. This is an important consideration.
Honey bees are very sensitive to odor. You don’t want them to abscond or fly away in search of better accommodations.
Many beekeepers chose to visit the “oops” section of the paint department. We beekeepers are often frugal by nature. You may see some weird color combination in the bee yards of “oops” painters.
Designs for Hives
A quick internet search will reveal many bee hives that are painted in spectacular colors and designs. If you have artistic tendencies, I envy you! I have a hard time drawing a straight line with a ruler.
If you are like me, consider using stencils to embellish your painted bee hives. Beyond having decorations that appeal to you, hives with designs on the front can help bees find their way back to the correct hive.
Giving your new hive or old hive a fresh coat of paint can be a lot of fun. Choose a color that you like and a safe paint for your bees and get the job done. Painting your beehives is a great way to extend the life of your equipment and keep beekeeping more affordable.
