Exterior finish- Tung oil safe for bees?

[ezrahug]

Hello, I'm a first year bee keeper and, after getting my first langstroth hive well underway in late April, have just completed a KTBH.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezrahug...7624181259474/

I'd like to keep the exterior a natural wood finish and i've read up on linseed oil/bees wax but I really want to use Tung oil (made by Minwax so i believe it's not 100% tung oil) as i've had great results in other wood working projects. Does anyone know how bees would react to an exterior treated tung oil finished hive provided i let the finish air for a few days before hiving the new bees?

Open to suggestions,

thanks,

EMH

[Buzzen]

I was thinking of using tung on mine also, don't see why it wouldn't work.

[ezrahug]

I'm concerned that the offgassing of the tungoil may screw with the bees pheramone communication. I know it makes me light headed

perhaps a few days between finish and inserting new bees would be enough. Thoughts?

[mike haney]

couple days airing, it'll be fine. whats on the outside only matters to the beekeeper. good luck,mike

[ezrahug]

That was the validation I was looking for. Thanks, mike!

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Let the sun bake all the volatiles out for a day. Tung oil finish at Home Depot and Lowes has chemicals not in original tung oil. If it was pure it would be food safe and it says on what I read "do not swallow or use near food." I make cutting boards and the discount store finishes are not usable in the kitchen. It will be fine for the outside of your hive.

[honeybeekeeper]

I use tung oil, i just got done applying Tung oil on 2 deep hive bodies and 3 supers. It keeps the natural look for sure, makes the hive look good!!

[ezrahug]

Success! As of day 3 the bees are happy with their home:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBM0sNuStFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVbCdvEp8Qc

Thanks for all the advice!

EMH

[honeybeekeeper]

Thats a pretty nice cluster of bees you got there ezrahug!!!