how long do i wait to move my bee's after painting their new box?

[valleykat]

I have some bee's that I need to move from my shed. I painted my box a couple of days ago,of coarse it's dry now... but will it hurt my bee's or detour them from living in their new home? how long should i wait ? fresh paint smells... even though the paints dry now, should i wait for a couple more days or a couple more weeks?:confused:

[alpha6]

You didn't paint the inside did you??

Usually if the paint is dry its ok for the bees.

[valleykat]

i onley painted one VERY SMALL coat on the inside

[Scut Farkas]

What is small coat? You either painted or you didn't - obviously you did.

i onley painted one VERY SMALL coat on the inside

[Sundance]

Most leave the interior of all bee equipment in natural
wood. Bee activity (wax, propolis, etc) keeps it in
good shape. Not to mention it is not exposed to the
weather.

That said....... You did it....... I assume it's latex??

Personally I'd set the boxes out in the sun for a few
hours and install your bees. (if it was latex).

And don't paint the insides down the road.

[GRIMBEE]

If they don't like your paint they will chew it off. I never paint the inside of my hives. The outside is primed and painted. I sat and watched my bees one day and they were stripping the paint on the edge of the front entrance.
I believe they possibly might just strip it off.

[Troy]

I think the short answer is: When the new paint smell is gone, you're good to go.

I agree with setting it in the sun.

I have also learned that some rain seems to help wash away the smell too. I guess if it didn't rain everyday here, I'd wash a new box with soap and water and rinse thoroughly before using just to be sure.

[Jeffzhear]

The hives that I have that are painted....very often I put a coat of paint on them while they stand in place with the bees working right along. Now that I dip my equipment in Rosin and Paraffin...my painting is minimal.