[PaloAlto Mark]

Hi:
I just got my first hive boxes delivered. I know people tend to paint the outside of the hive boxes white to protect them from the weather.

I'm located in Northern California (Zone 9 if you are a gardener). We don't get temperatures much below 32 degrees in winter and we also don't have many days above 90 degrees in the summer.

I actually like the natural color of the wood of the hive boxes. Can I just coat the outside in Krylon or some other brand of clear acrylic?

-Mark

 

[Iddee]

YES, but not the inside, only the outside and edges.

 

[tecumseh]

a good exterior stain works nice and makes the boxes blend in a bit better with some landscapes. Just make certain you get good coverage on the end grain.

I am using a cold dip (well actually you have to warm it up just a bit) that gives much the same effect. looks nice. government formulation, so we will see how well the cold dip holds up.

my wife is originally from the Palo Alto/Stanford area. we still visit out that way on occasions. beautiful area, although for this country cat it is a bit crowded.

 

[PaloAlto Mark]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate the help.