Bees & hives question (DIY also)

[nao57]

So I wanted to ask about the comparisons between wood stain and paint on beehives?

Is wood stain cheaper than doing normal paint? Or have certain pros to it?

I saw some videos that some people do like wood stain on hives instead of paint. And it looks like a nice look.

And would stain be closer to what bees would like in their natural environment?

I also wonder how many ventilation holes you should do on a hive? By this do you have like 1 every 2 or 3 feet? Do you calculate them by distance? Or only just one entrance plus one upper ventilation hole period, no matter how big the hive is?

I also see some people for overwintering put like burlap cloth or something like that on the top inner covers. It looks like an interesting survival strategy to help give them insulation. Curious if any of you have tried this and how it went?

 

[R2elk]

So I wanted to ask about the comparisons between wood stain and paint on beehives?

Is wood stain cheaper than doing normal paint? Or have certain pros to it?

I saw some videos that some people do like wood stain on hives instead of paint. And it looks like a nice look.

And would stain be closer to what bees would like in their natural environment?

I also wonder how many ventilation holes you should do on a hive? By this do you have like 1 every 2 or 3 feet? Do you calculate them by distance? Or only just one entrance plus one upper ventilation hole period, no matter how big the hive is?

I also see some people for overwintering put like burlap cloth or something like that on the top inner covers. It looks like an interesting survival strategy to help give them insulation. Curious if any of you have tried this and how it went?

I paint my hives white to keep them from overheating on the sunny days.

BYC's sister site BackYardHerds has a dedicated Bees and Beekeeping forum.

 

[MarkJr]

Paint or stain outside only.
The hive entrance is enough ventilation for the bees. They will utilize it and circulate air to their liking.
Beekeeping is local. It depends on winter weather conditions as to what is needed to get them to over winter. Condensation is bad, and bees don’t mind the cold. They stay balled up creating their own heat.