Beehive paint technology, 5 types of suitable compositions and which color to choose

Experts consider the painting of hives to be a very important procedure. With the help of a dense layer of dye, it is possible to protect the material from the negative influence of external factors. This procedure makes it possible to increase the operating time of the structures. At the same time, it is important to carry it out correctly. For this, it is very important to pay attention to the choice of dye and observe the technology of its application.

Why do you need to paint wooden hives

Tinting of hives is considered a rather controversial procedure. Some beekeepers are convinced that it is necessary to achieve this, while others see the harmful effects of such an impact. To understand the feasibility of this manipulation, it is worth considering the important characteristics.

The coloring of hives reliably protects the material from external factors. This is especially important when keeping wooden houses outdoors. If you choose the right paint, it will help to avoid increased humidity of the tree, maintain normal thermoregulation parameters and protect against moisture.

However, the procedure also has a number of drawbacks.Many beekeepers find it easier for insects to survive the winter with unpainted evidence. The fact is that most dyes disrupt the air exchange of the case and prevent the normal release of heat and moisture.

This causes a change in temperature regime. Because of this, condensation often accumulates in the hives, in which it becomes too stuffy. In addition, the correct choice of dye is of great importance, since many substances pose a threat to insects. It is recommended to paint hives exclusively on the outside. Interior surfaces must remain natural. After a while, the bees will completely cover them with propolis.

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Which paint to choose

Today there are many paints that differ in their properties. However, not all of them are suitable for coloring hives.

Oil

This dye is considered somewhat outdated. However, it is still used quite often.

Acrylic

This dye is water-based and does not disturb the microclimate inside the proof.

Serebryanka

This substance is aluminum powder. Nowadays, it is rarely used to paint walls.Most often, the material is applied to the roof, as it helps to reflect ultraviolet rays. This prevents the hive from overheating.

liquid glass

This coating has pronounced protective properties. When painting beehives, the substance should be applied to the walls at least three times. At the same time, it is important to dry each layer thoroughly.

Mineral

This type of dyeing can be done by hand. To do this, you need to take the following components:

• 1 part brick dust;
• 1.5 parts of wood ash;
• 1 part quicklime

These components must be mixed, then add milk. Accordingly, it is necessary to obtain a mass, the texture of which is similar to an ordinary dye. Leave the composition to infuse for 5-6 hours. Then it is allowed to add color and start coloring.

Which color to choose

Bees perceive colors differently than humans. Of the entire color spectrum, they are able to distinguish only yellow, blue and purple tones. It is recommended to mix these colors with a white filler.

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It is important to avoid staining the hives with dark colors as this will overheat them and cause heavy swarming. It is allowed to make houses located in shady places a little darker.

A combination of shades when painting houses is considered an excellent solution. Most often, the roofs are white. This contributes to the full reflection of the sun's rays. Nearby speakers are painted in different colors.

This method is effective and allows you to create a beautiful apiary. It is recommended to give the bottoms and roofs a lighter shade - dark blue would be a great option.

How to remove an old blanket

The old dye is left only if it is firmly attached to the surface and does not differ in chips or damaged areas. In other cases, it is necessary to completely clean off the old paint, otherwise it will lead to the peeling off of the new coating.

To remove the old hardware, you must use the following methods:

1. Using a torch. For this, the surface of a wooden house must be well burned with a flame in order to soften the old coating. Then the dye should be peeled off. This should be done with a spatula or other sharp device. The remaining paint is removed with sandpaper. If the hives have glass windows, it is recommended that they be covered with any noncombustible material.
2. mechanical method. Scraping the paint with a suitable object is permitted. For this, it is permissible to use a knife or a metal spatula. This method takes a long time. Therefore, it is used if the main part of the dye has come off on its own.After that, it is recommended to clean the surface from dust, paying attention to grooves and seams. In this case, the wood must be treated with a special primer.

If the hives are made of resinous wood, they must be cleaned of resin. This can be done by scraping or turpentine.

Painting technology step by step

In order for the dye to remain on the surface of the hives for a long time, it is important to follow a number of rules when applying it:

1. Before starting to paint, it is imperative to remove any surface imperfections - chips, ties, roughness.
2. Prepare the hives for the staining procedure. This requires sealing the cracks with putty and sanding the coating well.
3. If the houses are made of softwood, then the remaining resin must be removed from them.For this, turpentine is suitable. It is also permissible to use a warm solution of baking soda.
4. It is important to provide free access to all hive components. To do this, it is recommended to dismantle the houses and put individual fragments on wooden slats.
5. Before you start painting, the surface of the beehive must be treated with a primer. If this recommendation is violated, the coating will turn out to be short-lived.
6. It is only allowed to apply the paint after the primer is completely dry. This functionality is valid for all the following layers.

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Beekeepers advise against dyeing hives in other colors. Any change can disorient the bees and cause unnecessary energy expenditure.

Advice from experienced beekeepers

For the coloring of the hives to be successful, it is recommended to follow these recommendations:

1. An acrylic compound for facade work should be applied to the external elements of the hives. It is recommended to use a primer specially designed for a particular material.
2. Light colors are suitable for the roof and rear walls. Do not use black to color the hives.
3. It is not recommended to paint adjacent hives in the same shades.

Painting beehives is considered a complex process that requires following a number of guidelines. For the procedure to be successful, it is important to choose the right paint that will not harm insects.