Propolis Traps

[pdmattox]

I was wondering if anyone was using them?

[Apis629]

I have not.  Given bees have been known to make propolis out of just about any sticky, tacky material, I would not trust what they find here in the city.

[BEE C]

I used propolis mats to get propolis this year with good results I thought.  Nice bright red propolis. So fun to convince friends that have never heard about it that you CHEW it. :evil: Makes the teeth a nice vampire red, but so good for killing cavities I bet... :-D :-D

[Michael Bush]

I have one.  Put it on top and when you want to harvest you roll it up and put it in a plastic bag.  When you want to harvest you unroll it while still in the bag and all the propolis pops off.

[Robo]

Michael,

You freeze it once rolled up and unrolling while frozen.  Right?

[Michael Bush]

Right.

[Kathyp]

what do you put it on top of?  :?

[Apis629]

The frames.

[ndvan]

What do you do with it after you harvest it?

[Apis629]

Propolis can be used for a wide variety of things.  I've heard when mixed with beeswax, it makes a good floor or instrument varnish. 
It can also be used to make ointment and tinctures or, as a key ingredient.  These recipies are in "Beekeeping for Dummies".

[BEE C]

does anyone here know of any links to information on propolis and probiotic diet? P must work like a probiotic eliminating 'bad' bacteria and altering the stomache flora and an fauna.  I was just curious if there have been studies on this?

[Cindi]

Took a seminar on propolis gathering at the Honeybee Centre last year.  The gist of this was that in our area the most pure propolis is gathered later on in the summer.  The propolis gathered earlier has more wax product in it than in the late summer.  I don't know, I would just gather it whenever I could get a chance.

The propolis mats work great, put on top of the hive bars and moved over a little bit now and then so that the mat becomes fuller as the bees try to work it.

I love propolis scent.  I have two little bottles that I keep on my kitchen counter all year round.  This is aromatherapy to me.  Frequently I open a bottle and take a deep whiff of these.  Every time I do it takes me right there to the beautiful and warm days of summer, the scent of the tree saps coming to the forefront of my senses.  It has an amazing emotional uplifting to my soul and I would never be without it on my kitchen counter.

It is interesting how each bottle smells so differently.  The contents of one bottle has a very strong scent of resin, the smell I recall from when my Father would build his fibreglass sundecks and whatnot.  It is still nice, but not as "foresty" as the other bottle.

I am going to make tinctures soon from some of the propolis.  We were taught how to do that as well during this propolis seminar.  Basically it involves dissolving the propolis in 150% overproof rum.  I don't mind that a little bit (LOL).

When my hands get sticky with propolis, I use a little tiny bit of rubbing alcohol generally and it comes off very nicely.  Jo Jo works well too for removal, the grit is good for these grubby old hands too, makes them a little softer.

I keep a tiny little jar of honey that has propolis particles floating around in it for medicinal purposes in my bathroom.  It looks rather weird and I am sure that people wonder what it is used for.  It looks like some poop floating in the honey jar.  I have had miraculous healing using a little drop of honey from this little tiny jar of propolis honey.  Nothing short of simple incredible healing power. 

I have seen wounds that you would have thought for sure would have left scars, with narry a scar to be seen.  Many many healing events have occurred, with so many kids around here and the things that happen to their poor little bodies in their hard playing that they do (adults too).

The healing power of honey is well documented.  There are super bugs in this world.  Nothing will kill them.  I have read articles that would make you drop your chin in disbelief about how many hospitals (the ones I am thinking of were in Europe) are now using honey to cure what antibiotics won't even touch.  It is amazing, and we are only on the tip of the ice berg. 

Gather propolis, how ever you get it, it is there for the taking, a gift from our bees.  Great day.  Cindi

[Paraplegic Racehorse]

I've heard when mixed with beeswax, it makes a good floor or instrument varnish.

Hmm... Has anyone tried painting their hives with something like this?

[BEE C]

I warmed up a bucket of propolis 'balls' and used them to caulk the spaces in between the wall boards of the inside of the hive hut.  I love the smell of propolis, and this particular batch had bee parts etc in it, but I didn't want to get rid of it.  I didn't realize what a mess it would make, (my wife thinks it looks like pygmy goats with diahrea got in there...) HOWEVER, propolis is soo medicinally good, I thought it couldn't hurt to keep away bad bugs, mice, etc.  I also used balls of propolis as gifts.  Friends with woodstoves usually put a kettle on with cinnamon and spices in it at christmas and let it boil away adding water occasionally.  The smell is awesome.

[Cindi]

Hey Steve, that is a good idea about the propolis in water for the nice scent.  I love that smell too.  Gonna give it a whirl on my stove and see how it goes.  Great day.  Cindi