In a message dated 97-07-29 10:55:15 EDT, you write: << My father was a cabinet maker from the old world. One substance he used extensively was called "brou de noix" (it's french) which is essentially a water based stain made with the roasted husks of walnuts. When diluted enough so that it would hardly color bare wood, it was used as a disinfectant for the inside of drawers, chests, wardrobes etc. Not much about bees but it is a small piece of info about old methods that can maybe help you. >> I make stain from black walnuts soaked in household ammonia. As most walnut commercially available is steamed in the lumber kiln to equalize wood stresses it comes out looking rather washed out. It is also used to color streaks of sapwood. The active principle is I believe called Juglone and protects the wood while it is growing.