At 02:31 PM 2/21/02 -0600, you wrote:
>I've just treated a new hive with copper naphthenate.  It looks quite
>nice.  Do I have to paint it or would it be OK as is?

Mark,
The copper naphthenate will protect against insect damage (termites), and
fungi (mildew, mold, dry rot) but it will not protect the wood from sun
damage.  Paint will protect wood from UV damage, and will minimize the
swelling/shrinking/warping due to fluctuating moisture levels.

I would paint (or marine varnish) the wood.

Curiously, Merichem's web site explicitly mentions beehives as an
application for their product (along with non-obvious uses such as tents,
fishing nets, and fabric).

http://www.merichem.com/COPPER/Index.HTM

Mike Churchill

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