Painting hives for many beekeepers is a mandatory procedure. This protects wood or other material from external factors, prevents decay processes. This procedure significantly increases the life of the bee houses, but even it, despite its simplicity, must be done correctly.

Let's say right away that there are quite a lot of conflicting opinions on this matter. So, some beekeepers argue in its necessity and importance, others, on the contrary, prove its harm. So that everyone can draw conclusions for themselves, we will give both positive and negative points.

So, painting the evidence of bees, first of all, is necessary for external protection material from damage. This is especially necessary for wooden houses kept on the street. Properly selected paint will prevent the dampness of the wood, preserve its thermoregulation, and protect it from getting wet. In addition, in a large apiary, if all the hives are the same, this complicates the orientation of the bees in space. Insects are easier to navigate with the help of colors if each hive is painted in its own tone, as stated in the video.

However, there are also disadvantages. Many beekeepers have already proved that in unpainted houses, bees endure wintering better. This is due to the fact that many paints complicate the air exchange of cases, prevent the natural release of moisture and heat, violate temperature regime. Often, because of this, condensate collects inside the hive, it becomes stuffy in it. It is also important to take the choice of paint very seriously, as many are toxic to bees.

It is possible and in many cases it is necessary to paint the hive only from the outside. The inner stays out natural material, which in the subsequent time the bees will completely propolis.

What can be used to color evidence?

Today, the market for building and finishing products is simply replete with different types colors. But not every one of them is suitable for painting beehives. So, for example, acrylic and oil are considered the most popular and most suitable.

acrylic paint

The main advantage lies in its safety for bees, as it is created on water based. It does not violate the microclimate inside the evidence, is odorless, dries quickly and is easy to apply. Acrylic is resistant to sunlight and moisture, so it can last up to 15 years. The painted surface does not lose color, which makes it easier to care for the hive. Another big plus is that it is suitable for different materials, be it wood, plywood, polystyrene or even concrete.

Acrylic paint allows moisture and air to pass through, so it does not form fungus. But it should only be applied to a specially prepared surface with putty, as shown in the video. The tree is painted only that which has not previously been painted. Need to use facade paint for external surfaces. Also before processing acrylic paint All surfaces must be clean and dry.

oily

Another one good paint, although compared to acrylic and not as effective. It is also durable and safe, but has a much shorter lifespan. High-quality oil coating retains its properties for 4-5 years. They also have a significant disadvantage, which beekeepers often talk about - it creates a film that does not allow air and moisture to pass through. This impairs thermoregulation and air exchange of evidence.

Serebryanka

Few people are familiar today, but previously a very popular paint is aluminum powder. As you understand, its benefits are much less than that of oil. Today it is no longer used for painting walls, but only as a covering for the roof. Here it justifies its properties to the fullest - it reflects ultra-violet rays. This prevents the hive from overheating and makes it look very nice.

This type of paint will also come in handy if there is a large power line nearby. Aluminum will create a special protective screen. This composition can be dyed side walls, since the silver is stable and does not swell from moisture.

Liquid glass

Although this is not quite paint, it far surpasses even silver and acrylic in its protective properties. In addition, for many, this option becomes even more profitable. As they say, cheap and cheerful. So, liquid glass needs to cover the walls of the evidence with outside at least three times. Each layer must dry well before applying the next, which takes about 15 minutes.

Liquid glass creates a durable layer that protects the hive from any climatic conditions, prevents corrosion and all subsequent material defects. Such staining will also increase the life of the houses due to the fact that bees will not be able to gnaw it.

Do not forget about the right paint color, which greatly affects the orientation of the bees. Each family remembers its house by color. If you have a lot of hives, and there is little variety in the types of paints, then alternate the shades of the front walls or arrival boards. Even the color of the board or some kind of pattern bees also remember very well.

Video "Using Triora Azure"

In this video, the beekeeper will not only talk about what kind of paint he uses for evidence, but also show how to quickly and easily complete the whole procedure.

Painting hives for many beekeepers is a mandatory procedure. This protects wood or other material from external factors, prevents decay processes. This procedure significantly increases the life of the bee houses, but even it, despite its simplicity, must be done correctly.

Let's say right away that there are quite a lot of conflicting opinions on this matter. So, some beekeepers argue in its necessity and importance, others, on the contrary, prove its harm. So that everyone can draw conclusions for themselves, we will give both positive and negative points.

So, painting the evidence of bees, first of all, is necessary for the external protection of the material from damage. This is especially necessary for wooden houses that are kept on the street. Properly selected paint will prevent the dampness of the wood, preserve its thermoregulation, and protect it from getting wet. In addition, in a large apiary, if all the hives are the same, this complicates the orientation of the bees in space. Insects are easier to navigate with the help of colors if each hive is painted in its own tone, as stated in the video.

However, there are also disadvantages. Many beekeepers have already proved that in unpainted houses, bees endure wintering better. This is due to the fact that many paints complicate the air exchange of cases, prevent the natural release of moisture and heat, and violate the temperature regime. Often, because of this, condensate collects inside the hive, it becomes stuffy in it. It is also important to take the choice of paint very seriously, as many are toxic to bees.

It is possible and in many cases it is necessary to paint the hive only from the outside. The inner remains of natural material, which in the subsequent time the bees will completely propolis.

Today, the market for building and finishing products is simply replete with different types of paints. But not every one of them is suitable for painting beehives. So, for example, acrylic and oil are considered the most popular and most suitable.

The main advantage is that it is safe for bees as it is water based. It does not violate the microclimate inside the evidence, is odorless, dries quickly and is easy to apply. Acrylic is resistant to sunlight and moisture, so it can last up to 15 years. The painted surface does not lose color, which makes it easier to care for the hive. Another big plus is that it is suitable for different materials, be it wood, plywood, polystyrene or even concrete.

Acrylic paint allows moisture and air to pass through, so it does not form fungus. But it should only be applied to a specially prepared surface with putty, as shown in the video. The tree is painted only that which has not previously been painted. It is necessary to use facade paint for external surfaces. Also, before processing with acrylic paint, it is necessary that all surfaces are clean and dry.

Another good paint, although compared to acrylic and not as effective. It is also durable and safe, but has a much shorter lifespan. High-quality oil coating retains its properties for 4-5 years. They also have a significant disadvantage, which beekeepers often talk about - it creates a film that does not allow air and moisture to pass through. This impairs thermoregulation and air exchange of evidence.

Few people are familiar today, but previously a very popular paint is aluminum powder. As you understand, its benefits are much less than that of oil. Today it is no longer used for painting walls, but only as a covering for the roof. Here it justifies its properties to the fullest - it reflects ultraviolet rays. This prevents the hive from overheating and makes it look very nice.

This type of paint will also come in handy if there is a large power line nearby. Aluminum will create a special protective screen. Side walls can also be painted with this composition, since silver is stable and does not swell from moisture.

Although this is not quite paint, it far surpasses even silver and acrylic in its protective properties. In addition, for many, this option becomes even more profitable. As they say, cheap and cheerful. So, with liquid glass, you need to cover the walls of the evidence from the outside at least three times. Each layer must dry well before applying the next, which takes about 15 minutes.

Liquid glass creates a durable layer that protects the hive from any climatic conditions, prevents corrosion and all subsequent material defects. Such staining will also increase the life of the houses due to the fact that bees will not be able to gnaw it.

Do not forget about the right paint color, which greatly affects the orientation of the bees. Each family remembers its house by color. If you have a lot of hives, and there is little variety in the types of paints, then alternate the shades of the front walls or arrival boards. Even the color of the board or some kind of pattern bees also remember very well.

In this video, the beekeeper will not only talk about what kind of paint he uses for evidence, but also show how to quickly and easily complete the whole procedure.

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Why are hives painted?

This is necessary in order to:

• honey bees did not confuse their homes, since color is an excellent guide;

• details were protected from decay.

• forager bees remember the colors of their hive well and work confidently, which increases production performance;

• bees remember the color of neighboring houses, therefore, with a dense group, in order to reduce wandering, one should not allow the same color of nearby hives;

• the hives are painted in light colors so that they do not overheat in the sun in open places;

• correct coloration prevents spread by significantly reducing bee wandering;

• with a good orientation of the bees, a peaceful environment is maintained without the excitability and viciousness of bees;

• The coloring of the hives also has a positive effect on the selection and breeding work, as well as the output and their safety during the mating flights.

When painting hives, it is necessary to use not any kind of paint color, but mainly yellow, blue, blue, white. You can combine multicolor. For example, paint two hulls in different colors, and for the landing board, bottom and roof lining, choose a paint of a darker shade, say, blue. The apiary will become smart, and it will be easier for the bees to find their home.

If for some reason there are a lot of one-color hives in the apiary (for example, a batch of already painted factory-made hives has been purchased), then the front walls of the houses should be painted in different, clearly distinguishable colors. In extreme cases, you can limit yourself to painting only arrival boards.

Attached planks are not painted, so they dry out faster, warm up and it is easier for tired foraging bees to enter the hive on a rough surface.

The hives are painted with oil paints in the spring and summer, once every 3-5 years. In practice, this is done as follows: in the spring, the bee colony is transplanted into a clean, painted hive, and the freed one is repaired and painted.

I like water-based paints for facade works. Colors allow you to create a wide variety of shades of color.

The roofs of the hives are best painted in White color because it reflects well Sun rays, the nest of bees does not overheat. I have been painting silver roofs for many years.

• first, it's beautiful;
• secondly, in the summer the sun's rays are reflected and the bees do not suffer from high temperature;
• thirdly, apparently, aluminum shields the hives from electric fields, solar radiation and something else.

I was convinced of this by chance, about 15 years ago. The roof of one of my hives is covered with aluminum sheet. There is always order in this hive, since spring development has been far ahead of other families.

• 1. Purpose of painting
• 2. What and how to paint
• 3. What paint to choose
• 4. Color
• 5. Rooms
• 6. Repaint

The last step in the manufacture of hives is painting. But, since the parts of the bee house are unified and are constantly removed, added, changed places, they, as such, are rarely painted.

Purpose of painting

Like any other action, painting beehives also has its own specific meaning, for example:

• protective. The tree is subject to the harmful effects of bad weather, microorganisms, insects, rodents;
• for orientation. Different colors help bees and queens find their way home, and the beekeeper is better able to navigate among hives painted differently;
• aesthetic. So more beautiful.

All about beehive painting

What and how to paint

Brush, roller, spray - everything is fine. Usually, the choice is made depending on the number of hives or parts that need to be painted. The fastest way, of course, is with a sprayer.

To paint well, and not for one season, you must follow these steps:

1. For free access, place the hives or their parts on the rails.
2. If there are roughness, chips, protruding fasteners (nails, screws, corners) or poorly nailed carrying handles, then this all needs to be corrected.
3. Primed, this is a must, otherwise the paint does not live long! If you didn’t bother buying a special primer, then the work is carried out with the same paint, but thinner, more diluted with a solvent.
4. And last step the painting itself remains, but only after the primer or the previous layer has completely dried.

Painting the hive with a spray gun

Work is best done outdoors, since inhalation of solvent vapors does not add health. In bad weather it is possible under a canopy.

What paint to choose

Any paint is suitable for the base, except for water-soluble ones, but it should be written on the bank: “for external use”, because the hives, for the most part, stand in the open air and are subject to harmful effects precipitation.

Nitro enamels are on average more expensive, linseed ones are cheaper, but dry longer. Automotive or in aerosol cans are suitable, but there is no need to overpay, and there are no significant advantages over “ordinary” paints, from the point of view of bees and the beekeeper.

When painting beehives made of foam, you must first make sure that the material is not damaged by the solvent. Paint only on the outside inner surface do not touch.

Color

The bee's vision spectrum is shifted towards shorter wavelengths compared to humans. Red - they do not see, but they distinguish ultraviolet.

Paints of "ultraviolet" color exist, but they are rarely on sale. Yes, and there is no need to apply colors that are indistinguishable for the beekeeper, just as red is not worth it - the bees will not see it.

Usually white or light shades of blue, green, yellow are used. Beekeepers prefer light ones, because of the desire not to overheat the hives in hot weather: dark walls unnecessarily warm up the houses in the direct rays of the sun.

Painting in several colors of one body is necessary on queen breeding farms, if the entrances of a multi-seat hive are located nearby. Thus, it is easier for the queens to navigate when returning from the nuptial flight. For them, unlike bees, wandering is deadly: the “extra” female that has arrived will simply be killed. This painting is a little more difficult and takes a little more time.

To paint or otherwise mark the hive makes sense, perhaps, for aesthetics. This is done in hives-houses in the country, sometimes in training or exhibition apiaries. It looks much more beautiful, but it does not have any noticeable value for the bees, and it takes much more strength.

Rooms

Numbering helps the beekeeper in his work. But drawing a number on the wall through the stencil during manufacture is a bad idea, because it is assigned not to the hive, but to the uterus. They moved the family, divided it, changed the uterus - the number changes. Therefore, it is better not to draw, but to use a tag on a hook or magnet.

Sometimes it is convenient to mark something on the hive, but using paint for this is too troublesome. Many take a pencil or chalk - and writing is comfortable, and does not interfere. For example, mark with a dash each dose of syrup given in the fall.

repainting

Well-made hives last longer, as does the paint on their surface. But if they are already starting to peel off, then it is worth repainting. Everything said above about painting is fine, but there are a few additional notes:

• we select the color the same or close to the previous one: if the remains of the old coating are visible somewhere, the view will not deteriorate;
• it is necessary to peel off the old layer only when it peels off, if it holds firmly, you can leave it. It is convenient to perform such work with a special nozzle on a screwdriver, grinder, drill;
• a hive that has already served is sometimes slightly damaged, especially at the joints. Therefore, first we putty all the cracks, we fix the noticed flaws.

Painting hives is economically profitable, the cost of materials and labor is recouped by the fact that bee dwellings last longer. In addition, multi-colored bee houses are more convenient for work for both the beekeeper and insects.

After the beekeeper has finished all the work on the design of the hive, he must definitely paint it. This will protect the tree from high humidity, the process of decay, sharp temperature jumps. Painting beehives milestone, with the help of it you can use the evidence longer, so the costs are significantly reduced . Please note that not all colors can be distinguished by bees, it can be difficult for them to find where their hive is, so you need to choose different colors for bee hives and insects will have no problem finding. Many people are concerned about the question of what kind of oil, silver or acrylic to paint the surface of the hives.

Advantages and disadvantages of painting hives

1. Often hives are made from wood, it can deteriorate over time due to dampness, various temperature changes, high humidity. Only after painting can the wood be kept in good condition.
2. Bees are easier to navigate in space with the help of the color of the hives, they know where their home is.

Painting hives has a drawback - because of the paints, moisture exchange is disturbed. The paint breaks the full exit of moisture from the hive through the tree, because of this, the bees can suffer from stuffiness in the hive, especially in winter.

The choice of paint for beehives

The outer side of the hive is painted oil species. It is distinguished by its durability and reliability. After it dries completely, it loses its specific smell, and this is very important for bees so that they do not get poisoned. It is forbidden to paint inside the hive, as this will disrupt the full exchange of gases and moisture., which is very important for bee nests, this ensures a general atmosphere throughout the hive, it is regulated by natural wood, and if you paint it, it will lose all its useful properties.

Inside, it is best to apply propolis on the boards of bees - this product is natural and does not affect gas exchange inside the hive, it has an antimicrobial effect. The table shows the features different colors for hives.

Table "Types of paints for coloring beehives"

Type of paint	Advantages and disadvantages
oily	Resistant appearance to external influences. Used for external application. After it dries completely, it loses its smell.
Acrylic	Do not disturb gas exchange in the hive. They do not have unpleasant, characteristic odors. Resistant to UV rays. Acrylic paint is easy to apply, easy to care for and wash. Keeps for a long time up to 15 years. Do not apply to a surface that has already been painted.
Serebryanka	Silver is called powder from aluminum. Used to paint the roof of beehives. Silver should be painted in order to reflect ultraviolet rays in summer, in this way the hive will be protected from overheating. Silver can be painted on the back and side walls, this type does not swell, unlike others.

The meaning of the color of the hives for bees

Note that insects can distinguish between blue, white, cyan and yellow. Therefore, it is necessary to paint the hives in such colors, after which it is important to arrange them correctly. Some beekeepers refuse paints, they are sure that bees spend the winter in those houses that are not painted. When the wood is not painted, it is distinguished by its air and moisture permeability. If the hive accumulates a large number of moisture, it can be absorbed into the boards, then begins to come out. So in the house of bees an optimal level of humidity is ensured and mold does not form.

Features of acrylic painting of beehives

Acrylic paints are popular in modern beekeeping, they meet all the rules:

1. Acrylic paint is recommended to paint the surface because it does not affect the breathability of the hive.
2. Refers to the ecological species, it does not include toxic substances, it is odorless, it can also be used safely, does not burn, does not explode.
3. Acrylic is effective in dyeing because it does not lose color due to the influence of ultraviolet rays.
4. This type of paint is characterized by adhesion. They can easily stick to different surfaces- plywood, wood, plaster, fiberboard, concrete.
5. No need to buy special solvents, this function is performed by water, with the help of a water-soluble pigment, you can choose the color you need.
6. Acrylic paints are convenient to use, you do not need to wait long for them to dry, in summer it will take up to one hour, the tool can be easily washed.
7. Due to the fact that the type of paint is vapor-permeable, it does not form a fungus under the bottom. Due to the film that acrylic forms, excess moisture evaporates from the painted surface.
8. The paint is durable and can be used up to 14 years, oil paint only lasts 4 years.

Preliminary preparation of the hive for staining with acrylic paint

• Seal up all cracks, smooth out irregularities.
• After the putty dries, sand the bumps.

Please note that the beehive can only be painted with acrylic paint on wood without paint. In case of application to conifers, you must first deresin them, for this it is used soda ash. The solution is thoroughly heated optimum temperature 60 degrees, then rubbed with a brush, rinsed warm water. Turpentine is used for deresining, after which it is also rinsed with warm water. Be sure to buy acrylic paint, which is suitable for exterior painting, it is called facade.

Features of painting beehives from polystyrene foam

Beehives made of expanded polystyrene material must be painted, it is best to use water-based paint, pre-select a color. So the hives will shine, get less dirty, protected from the sun, which adversely affects the polystyrene foam material.

Color selection for beehives

Color plays a big role because bees can distinguish between blue, blue, white and yellow.. Color helps them find their hive. In the event that the beekeeper accidentally painted everything in one color, he needs to repaint the front of the house or choose a different color for the arrival boards. In this way, bees can be protected from wasting their working energy searching for a hive. If insects fly only to their color, they will not be lost in the apiary, this is an excellent prevention of various diseases.

Time to paint the hives

When a beekeeper uses oil paint, he needs to repeat the coloring after 4 years. To do this, in the spring, a family of bees is transplanted into new specially prepared hives, old devices are repaired and painted. It is advantageous to use acrylic paint, it is durable, you can paint the hive next time after 15 years.

You need to update and paint the hives in the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny. Previously, the walls of the bee house must be puttied, so you can reliably protect yourself from unevenness and cracks. Putty is a mixture of drying oil with ground chalk.

Painting the beehive with acrylic paint

Other types of hive stains

1. Coating with liquid glass is a cheap remedy. In order for the walls of the houses to last longer, you need to cover this mixture up to three times, before drying the surface each time. Please note if liquid glass high quality, it will dry no more than 15 minutes. This coloration has long term exploitation, the bees cannot gnaw it.
2. Paint containing milk. It is necessary to purchase fermented whole milk in the store, you will also need scorched quicklime. After using sour milk to extinguish the lime, wait three hours, everything is ready, if it is thick, you need to add more milk. You need to paint twice: the first time thin layer after it dries apply thick paint. To obtain the desired color, aniline water-based paint is added. The product lasts up to 6 years, this type of staining is similar to cementing, therefore it is fire resistant.
3. mineral paints, for this you need a small amount of grated brick, quicklime, wood ash, mix everything thoroughly and sift, dissolve in milk to form a creamy consistency. Insist 7 hours, add a little milk. You need to paint it in three layers, so the color will last 10 years.

Thus, the coloring of the hives is important process, so the bees will fly to the color and know exactly where their home is. Most often dyed oil paint, silver and acrylic. Many people ask what color to choose, the answer is simple, one that bees can recognize.