If you bought cedar boxes, which are more expensive, then I would not paint them<\/strong>. Cedar stands up to the elements much better than pine. Tung oil<\/strong> (available here<\/strong><\/a> on Amazon) provides water resistance to preserve the wood. It also gives cedar boxes a beautiful, natural look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article explains why you should paint your beehives, how to paint a beehive, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have pine woodenware, we recommend that you paint your beehives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pine is the most common wood used for hive components due to its low cost and ease of use. However, pine is particularly susceptible to weather damage (moisture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Painting beehives protects your equipment from the elements, extending its useful life. Without protection, hive components may last only a few years. (We have painted boxes that are more than seven years old without major issues.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beehives are also made from durable woods like cedar and cypress. These hives are more expensive than pine but hold up better without paint or other coatings. Cedar or cypress hives can be expensive and have limited availability.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Besides protecting your hives, there are other reasons to paint beehives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whatever size bee yard you eventually end up with, your hives will be one of your largest investments. It makes sense to protect them and get them to last as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend Langstroth hive as the best type of hive for beginning beekeepers<\/a>.<\/strong> Pine is the most common wood used for Langstroth hives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Hives face the same weather issues as your home’s exterior. As a result, you have some similar options when choosing paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exterior latex paint is water-based. It is designed for exposure to temperature changes and moisture. Made with resins, it resists fading, chipping, and peeling.1<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Exterior latex paints come in several sheens, depending on personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We use satin\/eggshell for cost reasons. Higher levels of sheen (semigloss and high gloss) are more expensive. However, they provide better protection and are easier to clean.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some suggest priming the hive so the paint will adhere better. But two coats of combination primer-and-paint products work fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exterior latex paint cleans up easily with soap and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oil-based exterior paint is an alternative to latex paint. Oil-based paint is more durable but more expensive. It is also more difficult to clean up than latex paints. We do not think oil-based paints are worth the extra cost and effort. Latex paints are also less likely to bubble due to moisture penetrating from inside the hive.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency<\/a>, “Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints” among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VOCs are emitted as gases. VOCs can have adverse health effects, particularly indoors with high concentrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for paints especially manufactured to be low-VOC<\/strong> or zero-VOC. VOC rating under 100 is good, but a rating under 50 is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have ever shopped for paint, you know there is a wide gap in pricing between brands. Prices vary even within brands based on quality (real and perceived).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Picking a paint thus becomes a question of budget and personal choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with top-of-the-line paint and a great paint job, your hives will eventually succumb to the ravages of the weather. We’ve had success with the \u201clesser\u201d brands sold at national home centers and even some budget paints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If color or quality is less of a concern than cost<\/strong>, check out the \u201coops\u201d paint section in your local stores. When an error is made coloring the paint, it is often put back on the shelf at a discounted price. It\u2019s still perfectly fine to use and you might even find some unusual color that you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beehive painting is a relatively simple task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assemble hive bodies with exterior wood glue and fasteners (nails, screws, or staples). Do not paint components prior to assembly. The paint helps seal joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Painting a beehive is not much different from painting the walls of your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tools and equipment to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brush off any dirt or dust before painting. Give the paint an opportunity to adhere to the wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are repainting an old box, perform any necessary repairs first, like fixing joints. Sandpaper can remove a lot of dirt and clean up a box for a fresh coat of paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using your tool of choice (roller or brush), paint only the exterior of the hives exposed to the elements.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n One exterior item we don\u2019t paint is the entrance reducer<\/strong>. Even a small layer of paint could make the reducer more difficult to use and bees may chew on the paint. It’s also only used part-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leave the hive interior unpainted <\/strong>to avoid adding chemicals to the hive. Bees might chew the paint, and the impact of any VOCs on the bees would be much worse if concentrated inside the hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The one exception to this is a solid bottom board. The bottom board will catch moisture, dead bees, and whatever else falls out of the hive. Painting it can add a layer of protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not paint frames or the inside of covers. <\/strong><\/strong>Paint only the exposed exterior of the covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hive edges are prime locations for water penetration. Some beekeepers paint them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We do not paint the edges of our hives.<\/strong> In the heat of summer, painted edges tended to stick together and the paint usually peels away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paint your hives before the bees are in them.<\/strong> This will make painting easier and limit the bees\u2019 exposure to chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not need bees flying around you while trying to paint. You also do not want bees landing on wet paint and getting stuck or covered in wet paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you paint a beehive with bees in it? <\/strong>We have seen one well-known YouTube beekeeper’s video about how to paint a hive with the bees inside. We just do not recommend it. If a box is badly in need of repainting, we would swap it out with another box first.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n We paint our hives a good distance from the apiary well before we plan to use them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I always paint our hives outside in nice weather. I let them “off-gas” for a week or more before putting them in the apiary to limit any exposure to VOCs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We always have a few painted boxes on hand in case we need to add one on short notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colors are a matter of your personal choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beehives are often white. If you buy your hives pre-painted, they will be white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n White is a fine choice for a hive color. It reflects light and will keep a hive cooler in the summer than a darker color would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some beekeepers choose colors that help their hives blend into the surroundings<\/strong>. <\/strong>Consider this to avoid the attention of neighbors or vandals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want your hives to blend into the environment, earth tones are better than pastels and neon colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We like bright colors that complement the surroundings. For us, neighbors and vandals are not a particular concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider how bees see colors to help orient them to the hives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The spectrum of colors visible to bees is slightly different from what humans see. For example, red is outside the wavelength range for bees, so bees see it as black. On the opposite end of the range, bees see ultraviolet colors that are invisible to the human eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This chart shows the range of colors visible to honey bees and humans:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re going to paint your hives, red is a bad choice for the bees. For bees, red is the same as black.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out Bee Culture’s article How Bees See And Why It Matters<\/strong><\/a> for more information on this topic.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you bought assembled, pre-painted (white) hives, you may not want to paint them anymore. Extra painting is a decision based on your budget for both money, time, and personal tastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s no need to use only solid colors.<\/strong> Surfing around the internet, you will find plenty of interesting designs decorating beehives. Feel free to express yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creatively decorating your hives could be a fun family activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a great video from Cutting Edge Stencils<\/strong><\/a> with a great way to decorate your hives:<\/p>\n\n\nShould You Paint Your Beehive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Kind Of Paint To Use On Beehives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Exterior Grade Latex Paint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Paint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Paint Quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Paint A Beehive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Assemble The Hive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Gather Painting Equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Clean And Prepare The Hive’s Surface<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Paint The Exterior Only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Medium](\"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Kit.jpg\")
When To Paint A Beehive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Time Considerations | How Long to Wait After Painting A Beehive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Color To Paint Beehives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Bees See Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bee](\"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Visible-Spectrum-Bees-And-Humans-1024x546.jpg\")
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Be Creative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/GIweLIGRrlw\/0.jpg\")
![\"Using](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RwjSmZimelQ\/0.jpg\")