DIY Wood Stain

Before applying stain

First coat of cocoa  

Tea, coffee, and cocoa 

Although a standard oil based stain would be more durable, I needed a stain to use in a bee nesting box (which cannot be chemically treated).  Bees are attracted to dark wood, so I made my own wood stains using tea, coffee, and cocoa.  I brewed strong tea, coffee, and mixed cocoa and warm water.  I applied each block with several coats.  While the tea stain was not the darkest, but it was the easiest to work with and had the most uniform appearance.