Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => CRAFTING CORNER => Topic started by: Bee-Bop on March 18, 2009, 11:58:55 AM

Title: Wax Paste ?
Post by: Bee-Bop on March 18, 2009, 11:58:55 AM
Could someone give me a idea on how much oil [ olive ?] would be needed
to make a soft wax paste ?
I want it soft enough to reach in the jar and get a dab out on my finger tips.
All I need is about a cups worth.

Thanks
Bee-Bop

Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: Chef Isaac on March 18, 2009, 05:16:46 PM
what are you planning on doing with it?
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: Bee-Bop on March 18, 2009, 05:52:50 PM
Will use it as a Bee Lure Scent
Mixed with Lemongrass & Spearmint then rubbed on insides of traps.

It's a Old method of lure scenting, but not sure how much oil to use.

Appreciate any advice.

Bee-Bop
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: Kathyp on March 18, 2009, 05:57:26 PM
would it not be easier to take a bit of old comb and spray it with some lemongrass and put it in the trap?  lavender also works.  :-)
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: luvin honey on March 22, 2010, 03:20:56 PM
Here's my lip balm recipe: 1 part beeswax to 4 parts oil. It makes a nice spreadable consistency. Good luck!
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: hardwood on March 22, 2010, 04:04:29 PM
I melt wax and add lemon grass oil (one of my commercial friends showed me this). I pour it out in thin sheets and break off pieces when it cools. Just lay a piece of it in your bait hive. The scent of the oil seems to last forever.

Scott
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: luvin honey on March 22, 2010, 05:06:51 PM
hardwood--do you have any idea if this lasts even longer than cottonballs soaked w/lemongrass essential oil and placed in plastic bags? Sounds interesting! Plus, then you have the oil AND wax smells going for you...
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: hardwood on March 22, 2010, 07:45:11 PM
I've just started trying this method luvin honey, so I'm not all that sure about it yet...no field experience to report, but I've smelled 2 year old samples from my bud and they seem (at least to my not-so-sensitive nose) to be as strong as the stuff I made just a few weeks ago. I haven't caught any swarms in my traps yet, but there's always a scout or two in them whenever I check so I'd think something's doing the job...whether it's the wax/oil or the old brood comb I couldn't say.

Scott
Title: Re: Wax Paste ?
Post by: luvin honey on March 23, 2010, 01:13:25 AM
Very cool, hardwood! I'd rather have wax-oil patties left in my empty hives than plastic bags that I need to pull out later. I love all the ideas to be found on here!