What do yall say to using aluminum foil in the hive for various purposes, like coating non-wax building areas? Practical or harmful? Could make for easy cleanup, and the bees can't chew through it, or can they?
Let me know what yall think!
Printable View
What do yall say to using aluminum foil in the hive for various purposes, like coating non-wax building areas? Practical or harmful? Could make for easy cleanup, and the bees can't chew through it, or can they?
Let me know what yall think!
I think it all depends on whether or not the foil reacts with their fillings. :lookout:
In all seriousness, I have no idea if it's harmful, or not, or if the bees would try to chew it up and haul it out. I assume you propose to use this to make it easier to remove frames, and whatnot? Have you stuck a bit inside to see what they do with it?
Bees have been known to pull the support wires in foundation out of the hive, so if that aluminum foil comes loose, I'd expect them to drag it out if they can. Mine pulled some plastic wrap I foolishly left on top of the inner cover with some candy all the way through two deeps and out the bottom entrance, they really don't like anything they don't put in the hive.
Besides, what is aluminum foil going to do for you that propolis won't?
Peter
It's mainly to prevent them from "gluing" down frames that are slightly off. They shouldn't be able to chew aluminum foil that's in between the contact of the frame top ends and the hive shelf should they?
-- And no, I haven't tried it yet. Also the aluminum shouldn't be very reactive should it? After all, it's deionized I think.
may be a fun thing to experiment with. watch to see if they make little hats out of it. lol -js
It might cause condensation.
I'd try it in an out of the way spot where water couldn't drop onto the ladies.
Static electricity possibly?