{"id":8056,"date":"2023-01-13T18:41:06","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T23:41:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/?p=8056"},"modified":"2023-01-13T19:04:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T00:04:40","slug":"what-is-propolis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/what-is-propolis\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Propolis? A Guide For Beginning Beekeepers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Propolis is a sticky substance produced by honey bees using resins collected from trees and plants. To make propolis, bees mix the resins with wax and other material. Bees use propolis, or \u201cbee glue\u201d, to seal cracks and gaps in the hive, as well as to protect the hive from pests and diseases (hence, \u201cbee penicillin\u201d).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Propolis has antibacterial and antiviral properties making it a valuable hive product with potential benefits for human health, in addition to its use in the hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While propolis is a valuable hive product, propolis can be a pain in the neck for beekeepers. By sealing seams between hive components, bees effectively glue them together. Heavily propolized boxes and frames can be difficult to separate, even with a hive tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article gets into detail about propolis for beginning beekeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bees produce propolis using resins from trees and plants that foraging bees carry back to the hive with their pollen baskets. House bees remove the resins from foragers and mix them with wax and saliva to create bee propolis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ve seen people refer to the plant resins as “propolis.” For our purposes, propolis refers to the resinous product produced by the honey beees.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n According to the USDA Forest Service<\/a>, resins are sap-like \u201cplant products that, are not soluble in water, harden when exposed to air, do not play a role in the fundamental processes of the plant, and. are generally produced by woody plants<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the hive, bees convert the resins to bee propolis by mixing them with wax, honey, and enzymes. The rough makeup of propolis is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beekeepers recognize bee propolis as a sometimes sticky, sometimes hardened, reddish-brown substance that bees put in all the cracks and crevices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word “propolis” is derived from the Greek words “pro” (before) and “polis” (city), meaning “defender of the city.” This refers to the use of propolis by bees to seal their hive and defend it from bacteria and other invaders.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Bees use propolis to seal cracks and gaps to protect against the elements and pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These spaces include tiny gaps between hive components and frames, particularly areas smaller than \u201cbee space.\u201d Think of it as caulking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bee space is that distance of 3\/8 of an inch where bees can travel but will not build comb. Bee space is the foundation of the Langstroth hive<\/a><\/strong> design.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n With its antimicrobial properties, propolis helps the bees keep the hive clean and disease-free. For this reason, bees may coat the hive walls, frame bars, and more with propolis. It can even be used to embalm dead animals (like mice) that the bees cannot remove.[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also used by bees to coat the inside of the hive, creating a sterile environment for the raising of young bees. In addition, propolis has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, helping to keep the hive free from disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beekeepers employ several methods of harvesting propolis. The easiest method is using a propolis trap.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A propolis trap is a flexible grid with small openings. Place the trap above a hive box and the bees will seal the cracks especially if you allow a little light in or in the fall to help insulate the hive. A propolis trap looks much like a queen excluder except with much smaller openings that do not permit bees to pass.<\/p>\n\n\nWhat Is Propolis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How Do Bees Use Propolis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Harvesting Propolis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n