Should You Paint Your Hive’s Entrance Reducer?

Should You Paint Your Hive’s Entrance Reducer?

Your beehives are exposed to harsh elements all year round. As a beekeeper, you most likely invested a significant amount of time and money into your hives, and it’s only logical that you want them to last as long as possible. Preserving your beehives with a protective layer is a wise decision. 

But what about the entrance reducer? 

Does this piece of the hive need protecting too?

Do you paint the entrance reducer?

You should NOT paint your hive’s entrance reducer. The entrance reducer and interior components, like frames, should not be painted. Your bees chew on these parts, which could harm them when painted.

When you paint your beehives, many things need to be considered, such as when to paint them, what paint to use, how long to wait, and what areas you should paint. 

Bees are sensitive creatures, and paint can harm them. It would be best never to paint the hive’s entrance reducer (or indeed around the entrance) as it could damage your bees. Your bees need to use their hive’s entrance reducer each time they want to enter and exit their hive. 

Firstly, painting an entrance reducer may make it smaller and too narrow for your bees to freely enter and exit their home, which can lead to them swarming and looking for a new home. 

Secondly, if you use your hives for extended periods, your bees may start to chew on their entrance reducer. If there is any paint on the entrance reducer, your bees may chew on it and even eat it, causing them harm, as the paint is toxic.

Tip: why not use a stainless steel entrance reducer like this? (Amazon) This is a great no-rust solution and doesn’t need painting anyway! This particular version is based on scientific research and aims at creating perfect entrance conditions.

What about the rest of the hive?

Painting your beehives is the most common and effective way to protect them from weather damage. Rain, sun, snow, and temperature changes can eventually rot and break down unprotected wood. As a result, the joint may separate, and cracks may appear. Several coatings can protect the wood, and it is a cost-friendly and straightforward way to extend your beehives’ lives. 

Read my in-depth article here to find out everything you need to know about how to paint beehives.

Conclusion

Now that you know how vital your hive’s entrance reducer is and that you should never paint it, you can focus more on the parts you can paint and protect from the harsh elements! 

Knowing how to paint your beehives correctly will ensure you get the most out of your money and have beautiful beehives with happy bees for years!