We have recently received a number of enquires asking whether our natural range of breathable and natural paints are suitable for beehive painting, or safe for use around bees, so I thought we would address them all in one go.
At one stage we had a wood paint that was specifically safe for bees, but this product we now can't source unfortunately. However we do have an alternative range of paints that are suitable for all interior and exterior wood, and this paint is zero VOC, natural and totally breathable. However, although this paint is natural, ecological vegan and free of VOC emissions, it has fundamentally not been tested on animals so we can't say for certain that it is totally suitable for bees. We would advise trying a tester pot first before ordering a larger tub. We have no reason to believe that this paint would be an issue, but please use at your own risk.
Some questions you have been asking include:
What can I paint a beehive with? What paint for a beehive? What is a safe paint for a beehive? How do I paint a beehive? Do you stock an eco friendly paint for beehives. How can I protect my beehive? What paint can I use for my beehive? What are suitable paints to decorate and preserve wooden beehives? As well as asking what paint Apiarists recommend for bees, and which beehive paint or stain to use.
Buy non toxic, eco friendly and safe beehive paint in the UK today, available to buy online with next day delivery through our secure checkout.
If you have any questions please get in contact as we would love to hear from you.
The unfortunate downside to the change in agricultural techniques over the last few decades has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of bees in the UK, resulting in a smaller population and unfortunately even fewer different species. It is sad to say that in the UK, Cullem’s bumblebee (Bombus cullumanus) was last recorded in 1941 and the Short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) was last recorded in just 1988. A number of other species are on the brink of extinction, which causes many knock on effects for the British countryside, agriculture and wildlife.
Why are bees in decline in the UK?
There are many reasons that the humble bee is in decline, some of which are Varroa mites, diseases, neglect from beekeepers, pesticides, lack of forage, lack of nest sites and an increase in toxic materials in the ground and air, one of which being petrochemical paints and solvents.
Why are bees so important in the UK?
Bees are incredible pollinators which we need for our farming to survive. Bees and other insects are estimated to contribute £400 million per annum to the UK economy and €14.2 billion per annum to the EU economy. Through pollination, bees and insects are integral for plants and crops such as peas, tomatoes, apples and strawberries. Without bees we would have very little to pollinate wildflowers, which are often a fundamental part of an extremely complex food chain.
What can we do about helping the bees and insects we need?
Push agriculture to use methods that benefit bumblebees, and raise awareness about the consequences of a decline in the bee population. Engage in monitoring and survey schemes, and donate a bit of time to help out. Another way you can help is to become a beekeeper yourself.
What can humble old me do about it?
If you have any space at all in your garden, throw a handful of wildflower seeds and send some to your neighbours. The more of you that get involved the better, and everyone can spare just a few metres to let some beautiful wildflowers grow for part of the year. It's easy to grow plants that bees like. Providing nest sites for solitary bees can be a great help, bamboo canes, hollow stems, cardboard nest tubes etc can all help.
What if I need an exterior varnish that is safe for bees?
If you are planning to be painting and varnishing exterior surfaces, we did offer a Natural Wood Stain that had been certified 'Safe for bees' by the Natural Beekeepers Trust, but unfortunately we can't get stock of this now.
Where can I read more about it?
Why bees need our help (The Bumblebee Conservation Trust)
Bees: a decline in numbers (The RHS)
More info
A water-based, solvent-free natural wood stain for exterior wood. Zero VOC and breathable, a natural choice for protecting wooden beehives. Always test first around bees.
View productWe are often asked what's the best natural finish for a bee hive. Beekeeping is an outside endeavour, so you need to choose a natural finish that is both weather resistant and, more importantly, safe for the bees. We know that bees are incredibly sensitive to their environments. It’s imperative to protect the beehive from the elements, like rain, storms and extreme weather conditions, as all these can take their toll on your beehive colony.
Many opt to go for semi-gloss paints because they are easier to keep clean than a matte finish. As for the colour, it all depends on the beekeeper, it's up to you which colours you like. However, you should shun really dark colours because they heat up more than light ones. Dark hives are okay during winter, but can rapidly overheat the colony during hot days. Some beekeepers also go for natural paint rather than traditional paint because of its harmful effects to our health as well as to the environment.
It is expected that your hives undergo a great deal of stress over time, honey harvesting, opening and closing the hives, moving, swapping hive bodies, extreme weather conditions, and so forth, so your goal should be building strong assemblies that will stand the test of time, as well as creating natural and non toxic surroundings for our precious bees.
Further reading: Best Non Toxic Paint for Vegetable Gardens
