Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[ingo50]

Could members please advise on treating the exterior of a new TBH with a suitable non-toxic safe wax or oil. I live near Cardiff in South Wales, we get a lot of rain here. Should I leave the cedar wood untreated? Many thanks.

[trekmate]

Untreated is fine for cedar. It's reputed to last for 40 to 60 years outside without protection. The red colour will slowly fade to silver/grey.

You could opt for RAW linseed oil and beeswax - 20 parts oil 1 bees wax, melted in a bain-marie and painted on while hot. This would need to be re-applied every year or so or it will look scruffy. NOTE: Boiled linseed has some nasty additives!

If you have a cedar roof I'd paint raw linseed oil on that as a minimum to help rain bead and roll off.

[ingo50]

Thank you very much trekmate, I was planning on using marine ply for the roof as cedar planks are 2,5 cm thick and ply will be easier to use as a single sheet on each side. Any ideas on eco-friendly paint for the roof or has anyone use linseed oil there as well. Many thanks.

[trekmate]

My favourite roof is aluminum sheet over the ply. http://fragile-planet.co.uk/aluminium-roof-sheet-reclaimed.html

3 sheets will cover a 36 or 48 inch hive. If you plan to build more hives order plenty of sheets (I don't get commission), the P&P barely changes!

The aluminium is thin and bends easily to form around the ply.

[MikeRobinson]

A product available here, "Thompson's Water-Seal," will weather-proof any sort of bare wood with a single light coating ... which can be brushed or sprayed on. I used it on the outside of my (found-wood ...) hives, as well as on a few pieces of outdoor furniture. The wood "weathers" delightfully and naturally, yet it keeps the water out. Bees don't mind. (I used it exterior-only.)

[Merinos]

most natural protection : torching the hive. Torched wood is not attractive to insect, does resist fungus...