From How To Paint A Beehive - A Beginner Beekeeper's Guide - BEVERLY BEES. See the site for photos and additional information. Painting a beehive is simple if you remember this basic principle. Paint the outside and leave the inside where the bees live unpainted. read more
Before painting you hive, you will need to coat the hive in an exterior primer first before putting on the final coat of paint. I recommend an oil based exterior primer for better weather protection, but any type of exterior house primer will work. read more
If you paint it any color that absorbs heat you can seriously overheat the hive in the summer. A darker color MAY help a little in the winter but its just too dangerous. If you want to help your bees stay warm in the winter a wind break and a dark WRAPPING can help. read more
The traditional answer is"white", but the real answer is a bit more complex. Bees don't particularly care what color their hive is, but pale hives will reflect the sun and keep the colony from overheating in the winter. read more