In my opinion there is no need to treat cedar hives as the timber is very durable in all weathers. If you do apply a treatment to any timber hives it must only be on the external surfaces. In no circumstances treat any internal parts. The bees will apply their own “varnish” of propolis. George uses a treatment on his cedar hives so I’ll ask him to add a comment here to explain what it is.
George Kay
Paul,
The treatment I use is OSMO…they recommended that I use a base coat (4006)
followed by 2 top oats (410). Neither of these contain anything that is harmful to the bees.
Do I have to treat cedar hives?
In my opinion there is no need to treat cedar hives as the timber is very durable in all weathers. If you do apply a treatment to any timber hives it must only be on the external surfaces. In no circumstances treat any internal parts. The bees will apply their own “varnish” of propolis. George uses a treatment on his cedar hives so I’ll ask him to add a comment here to explain what it is.
Paul,
The treatment I use is OSMO…they recommended that I use a base coat (4006)
followed by 2 top oats (410). Neither of these contain anything that is harmful to the bees.