Hello From Vermont!

[fradiddle]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to beekeeping this spring, and I already have two questions - and the bees don't even arrive until May 21!

I got my 8-frame beehive kit yesterday, ordered from Betterbee in NY.  There seems to be an awful lot of extra space in the boxes when the frames are in - there's room for another whole frame I think.  Won't the bees fill in all of that extra space and make things difficult?

Second, I need to paint the boxes.  I understand that bees are pretty sensitive to chemicals - is there any recommendation about what sort of paint to use?  Oil-based?  Latex?

Thanks for any help.

[VolunteerK9]

Place all the frames in the middle of your hive bodies (centered)-all the extra space will be on the two sides. It will over time get some burr comb but nothing to worry with or about.

As far as paint, most beeks here are all about a good deal, so basically anything that you can find at a home improvement center's mistint paint section works great. I started out with white latex, now I have some greens, some pinks, etc. Its all basically up to you, just be sure to paint the outside faces only-leave the insides bare.

Welcome to the site

[kathyp]

go to your local hardware store and buy the least glaring mis-tints that you can live with .  the bees don't care.  i prefer latex because it's easier to slop on and clean up.  don't get hung up on indoor or outdoor paint.  either will do.

[hardwood]

If your local dump (land fill) has a paint exchange program like the ones here do you can grab paint for free.

Scott

[specialkayme]

Welcome to the site!