A sticky material that makes hive manipulations difficult in warmer weather; in colder weather propolis might cause vibrations of hive parts during manipulations. Some individuals with propolis allergy need to wear gloves when doing hive manipulations.
Propolis is a term used for plant resins collected by foragers and used by bees as a protective antimicrobial coating inside the hive, to seal areas too small for them to enter, and to reduce the size of entry and exit areas, especially in the fall and winter. It may also be used to entomb animals such as dead mice that bees cannot remove, to smooth rough surfaces in the hive, and to stabilize frames on the rabbet ledge.
Propolis is a resin from trees (such as poplar) that is secreted by plant buds and other sources as a defense against pests and for healing of injuries. It is carried to the hive on the pollen baskets of the bees’ hind legs. It is a unique resin used by honey bees. Other bees often mix propolis with beeswax, though honey bees less so.
U.S. bee breeders have been selecting for bees that use less propolis. Natural beekeeping advises use of propolis by bees for better bee health. In some areas, tincture of propolis is used for varroa mite control.
Goldman R. 2018. The Benefits and Uses of Propolis. Healthline. Accessed 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/propolis-an-ancient-healer
Wyns D. n.d. Propolis. University of Minnesota Bee Lab. Accessed 2023. https://beelab.umn.edu/propolis
Anjum SI, et al. 2019. Composition and Functional properties of propolis (bee glue): A review. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 26(7): 1695-1703. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X1830189X
Simone-Finstrom M and Spivak M. 2010. Propolis and bee health: the natural history and significance of resin use by honey bees. Apidologie 41:295-311. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1051/apido/2010016
https://tinyurl.com/hj5fz934
“Impact of PROPOLIS on HONEY BEE health and pesticide exposure”, YouTube, uploaded by Inside the Hive TV, 18 August 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZc3ouD-pak&t=48s
