I Stain My Hives with Boiled Linseed Oil

#beehive #hivetreatment #paintedhives
I love the natural look of wood in my apiary if possible. Boiled Linseed Oil gives me that great look and is safe for the bees.
Apply a couple coats to the outside (never paint or stain the inside of a hive). Be careful not to ball up your rags afterwards, boiled linseed oil can be dangerous.
Fun Bee Apparel: www.teespring....

[@michaelgross7016]

I like boiled linseed oil alot. I use it on all my axe handles. I even used it on an unfinished pistol grip.....it took time and absorbed the oil like crazy.
I'd say 5 or 6 coats would be good for a hive. At least that many coats judging from the way the pine soaked up polyurethane.
I dis end up using polyurethane . 2 coats. That should do fine. Looks good . natural low key.
the other hive is the best....it came infused inside and out in molten bees wax. That should last years

[@robeccs]

Yes cedar is little more expensive but it has its positves more than negatives to offset the cost. Linseed oil + cedar= decades of bee boxes.🍻🐝🍯✌🏽

[@ssllylawrence618]

Hi Guy
Super dumb question but do you use your linseed oil neat or mix it with anything?

[@guysbees]

This is straight boiled linseed oil. Nothing added.

[@ssllylawrence618]

Thank you

[@justice007willprevail]

I've heard some people mix linseed with bees wax and heat in a cauldron then dip their bee hives in the hot oil. Apparently, you get years of longevity

[@margarethorner5608]

Hi Guy. We have done this with our hives too. Its 4 years since the first coat. How often/can you re treat. We're in the UK-Wales. We prefer the natural look too. Mags and Alan Horner

[@guysbees]

Cool! Every few years if they look bad. I don’t have a set system because it’s also difficult since I don’t have a lot of extra boxes to swap in and out of circulation. I’m in the northeast US so you’re further north than I am.

[@johnc4236]

How long has the box there been in service (how long does it hold up)? Do you reapply after x number of years? How did you apply the linseed oil (brush/roller/dip)?

[@guysbees]

Thanks for the questions. The box in the videos has I believe full years including winters. Three to four years is probably good for reapplying. Keep an eye on it like you would deck wood. I apply linseed oil with a foam brush from the hardware store.