In the interim, before my ordered books arrive and I can start to expand my
knowledge of bees, their behavior and the various problems that can arise
while keeping them, I have been "surfing" the web for information.


From what I am reading, AFB is not curable.  Not so much in that the disease
can't been cured, but that the spores are everywhere, and re-infect the bees.
 In fact Dr. Imirie has informed me that there are hives from the 1920s that
can still infect bees, and they do this at the lab in Maryland, I assume to
check the virulency of the AFB.  Treatments are rather harsh, destroy the
bees, char the hive parts, soak them in lye, or in some parts of the country
Ethylene Oxide is used.  I was wondering if anyone has heard of or tried
sealing the hive walls and outsides with a polyurethane or other coating to
seal off the spores? There are many wood sealants, some are
waterproof/resistant and there are coatings that can make the wood airtight.
I know that one doesn't paint the inside of a hive (though Im not sure
exactly why- I assume the bees really don't like the paint) This may be the
same thing with sealants.

I apologize in advance if this seems a silly question.  Im trying to learn as
much as I can as quickly as possible.

Thanks for your patience,

TIM MORRIS