> > Question: why is it that so many hives (certainly in Europe)
> > are painted pale blue?
>
Karl von Frish investigated bees' sensitivity to colour and recommended
hives were painted blue, yellow, black and white.  Zinc white absorbs
ultraviolet so is bue -green to bees, whils lead white is true white so less
striking.  European bee houses have entrances close together so colour
differentiation was important.  Possibly blue became favorite as it was the
first on Frish's list.

I paint my Long Deep Hives yellow to make them look good or deep green to
hide them on exposed sites. Yellow shows up nosema spots quickly.

Robin Dartington

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