Nuc painted on the inside.

[CWBees]

I made up a nuc box from old shelving that is painted on both sides. Will having a nuc ompleatly painted on the inside cause any problems for the bees?

[George Fergusson]

It's recommended not to paint or treat the insides of hives, but I'm not sure it hurts anything IF the paint is non-toxic... which is a big IF. Lead-based paint, common not too long ago, would be a Bad Thing. I just make is a point to not put painted surfaces inside, and leave it at that.

[jim b]

I threw away a top bar hive i made that i had sprayed at work with a furniture type of clear sealer, a two-part, catalytic type. The box had been sitting idle for several months, and had a screen bottom. I killed one swarm in it and the next one left. I've got two honey supers, never used, that are going to be thrown away that i had sprayed at the same time.

I dont know if your paint would have the same effect or not. Regular paint, like water-based, might not be bad, but i don't really know.

Also, paint on the inside will possibly cause a build-up of condensation that would be undesirable. However since it's a nuc, it might not be the same scope of problem that it would be in a ten frame brood chamber. Again, i don't really know.

On the other hand, i have boxes that have been laminated with "Formica"-like plastic laminate on both sides and have not had any problems with them-yet. I dont very often need to think about humidity here.


I'm willing to avoid paint altogether after my little fiasco.

I suppose you could try it, but don't get too attached to it right away as you might end up having to part company with it if it dosen't work out well. ;)
-j

[mac]

You could use a propane torch to burn the paint of the inside. Don't breath the fumes.

[Michael Bush]

>Will having a nuc ompleatly painted on the inside cause any problems for the bees?

I wouldn't paint the inside on purpose, but I'd use wood that has been without any qualms if you can be reasonably sure it's not lead based paint.