What is propolis and what is it made of? And why do bees make so darn much of this sticky substance? In short: It's bee glue.
Propolis is a mixture of resins from trees and other plants which bees collect, mix with wax and then use to "caulk" the hive itself as well as many items in the hive.
Propolis is a mixture of resins from trees and other plants which bees collect, mix with wax and then use to "caulk" the hive itself as well as many items in the hive.
Why do bees cover everything in propolis? Just like you would use window caulking to fill air pockets in your window sill, so bees do with propolis. Further, the bees use it to secure the moving parts of the hive together to keep out the weather and bugs.
The antibacterial nature of propolis helps the bees to keep the hive hygenic. Thus, rather than something sitting there rotting, the bees will coat the surface or the whole item with propolis.
For example, bees use propolis to "mummify" intruders that are too big to move. This mummification process essentially covers the critter in propolis, and the dead creature dries out. This protects the colony from diseases and putrification of this rotting creature.
The antibacterial nature of propolis helps the bees to keep the hive hygenic. Thus, rather than something sitting there rotting, the bees will coat the surface or the whole item with propolis.
For example, bees use propolis to "mummify" intruders that are too big to move. This mummification process essentially covers the critter in propolis, and the dead creature dries out. This protects the colony from diseases and putrification of this rotting creature.
What do I do with propolis? While there are many uses for propolis by bees, as a beekeeper, you may think of propolis as just a nuisance. It gets on your gloves, your hive tools, your wood. But there are many uses for propolis, most of which involve natural remedies for mouth sores, cuts and scrapes, and many others. There's a market out there, and many ways to harvest this fine bee-made product.
Personally, I love the smell of propolis. When I was a kid beekeeper (yes, a long time ago), I used propolis to repair my archery arrow fletchings (that's the feathers), since Elmer's glue just didn't do it well enough, and this was before "super glue". The only problem I had was that propolis, when cold, gets very brittle very fast.
Other people I know will chew propolis, like gum, to provide some relief from mouth sores. Propolis has a lot of antimicrobial properties. Be sure to brush your teeth later though, as this will stick to your teeth! Or, you can make a tincture or lip balm and so on. Some recipies at this link or this one. In short, you have to extract the propolis by dissolving it in alcohol (e.g. Everclear), straining out the sludge, and then using the result in tinctures, balms and salves.
Now you know a lot about propolis! There is always more to learn around the hive.
See you there soon!
tim
Personally, I love the smell of propolis. When I was a kid beekeeper (yes, a long time ago), I used propolis to repair my archery arrow fletchings (that's the feathers), since Elmer's glue just didn't do it well enough, and this was before "super glue". The only problem I had was that propolis, when cold, gets very brittle very fast.
Other people I know will chew propolis, like gum, to provide some relief from mouth sores. Propolis has a lot of antimicrobial properties. Be sure to brush your teeth later though, as this will stick to your teeth! Or, you can make a tincture or lip balm and so on. Some recipies at this link or this one. In short, you have to extract the propolis by dissolving it in alcohol (e.g. Everclear), straining out the sludge, and then using the result in tinctures, balms and salves.
Now you know a lot about propolis! There is always more to learn around the hive.
See you there soon!
tim
RSS Feed
