white wash

[bumble]

I have been reluctant to paint my hives so far. Latex is plastic, and I wouldn't like to live in a plastic bag myself. Recently I read something by a homeopath who wrote that old timers used to coat thier hives with white wash every one or two years. This she claims breathes and is more healthfull for the bees. Has anyone tried this? At our local bee club when someone asks about plastic equipment I allways tell them to check thier underwear. If they are wearing synthetics then I suppose they might feal comfortable having thier bees live in polystyrene or plastic.

[Michael Bush]

Maybe you'd feel more comfortable with this:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesdipping.htm

[Meadow Stone Farm]

usually means a lime solution. it is common to spray barns down (walls and bedding) with it because the ph inhibits microbial growth and insect egg developement.

kris

[bumble]

Thanx for the info on wax dipping. I have been interested in that for a while. I bought some parafin for the job even before I bought my bees, but I haven't found the right melter wet. I have been thinking about a big used deepfryer, that gave me the idea of dipping the hive boxes in vegetable oil!? Parafin is expensive. Bees wax, the best choice, I will not have enough of for some years. Is there equipment comercially available? What do you use?

[Michael Bush]

>Is there equipment comercially available? What do you use?

Try a search. There has been some discussions recently and they included a reference from Bullseye Bill to a man who will custom make a container.