[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> >Why on earth would anyone paint the inside of a hive? The bees provide
> >an excellent sealer.
>
> This statement is quite true but there are 2 other reasons for painting the
> inside of a hive.  In my case I like to paint the inside in a gloss white.
> The advantages are:
>
> 1) It is easier to scrape and clean the inside surface if it has a hard
> gloss finish.
>
> 2) With a light colour inside (white), it is easier to look down between the
> frames to see what is happening. It works particularly well for the bottom
> board.  When I have lifted all the other boxes off and have only 1 brood
> chamber left, I can look between the frames and see what condition the
> bottom board is in.  With a dark bottom board I would have to lift the brood
> chamber as well before I can check the bottom board.
>
> The white insides of the boxes is particularly helpful when I do not have
> the boxes on the hives.
> When a I have a stack of boxes with empty frames, the light coloured insides
> of the box makes it much easier to see what I am looking at.
>
> Just to complete the story (for those who want to ask), I paint the outside
> a darker colour. the reasons are:
>
> 1) A light colour (like white) attracts the un-welcome attention of vandals
> and neighbors.  Dark colours help to camouflage the hives.
>
> 2) I do not like the glare of reflected light form light coloured boxes.
> Once again it is much easier to see inside the darker space of the boxes
> when you are not blinded by a glare from the a white outside.
>
> Regards
>
> Chris Allen
 
I am thinking that while much has been said about paint colors, it seems
that much of what has been said is for the convenience of the beekeeper
and little in favor of what is good for the honeybees. All of us should
keep in mind that honeybees have color preferences, (Re: Von Frish, et
al). Definitely, forget about black! Blue is best of all!
P. Rodriguez
Virginia Beach, Virginia (USA).