What is this?.....propolis?

Highlandsfreedom · October 14, 2009, 08:42:37 PM

I was just watching the girls today and noticed this at the interence. Is it propolis? Are they hunkering down for a cold winter? This was my first swarm I caught this season....ever.... and they are the ones who produced all of our honey too?

http://img384.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=p1080816.jpg

i will have a 3 sec vid up on youtube soon too

doak · October 14, 2009, 09:37:25 PM

Pic's are poor quality.
Is it a loose substance or is it stuck to the wood?
Propolis is like glue, It is hard to remove even with the hive tool. :)doak

hardwood · October 14, 2009, 10:05:37 PM

It's very difficult to tell from the pics but it looks as if there's a bunch of it? Have you opened the hive (if it's warm enough there)? You may have a mouse or other critter in there shredding comb. Just a thought.

Scott

irerob · October 14, 2009, 10:21:55 PM

That would be my guess either due to winter or there tring to cover some thing near the entrance, a mouse or some thing? Hard to see in the pics though.

Highlandsfreedom · October 15, 2009, 12:16:38 AM

Its hard like propolis and it covers the entire opening all the way across with little gaps for the girls to go in and out of. I am afraid that if it is propolis that if I move the bottom frames it will disrupt it. I will try and get some better shots of it on another day.

doak · October 15, 2009, 02:21:53 AM

Leave it. They are sealing up the entrance with propilos.
I just noticed where you are. it is getting cold there and they are making their own entrance reducer.
They even do it here in Ga. If you don't reduce the opening they will take care of the job,
They will even gnaw it away come spring.

buzzbee · October 15, 2009, 08:39:01 PM

Highlands,
This time of year I would really suggest putting on a mouse guard of some sort.Be sure you don't have a mouse in before installing though.

Kathyp · October 15, 2009, 08:42:31 PM

try google picasa for pics. they are better quality for detail viewing.

Sparky · October 15, 2009, 08:59:31 PM

If it were me I would do a inspection to find out if there is any critters in there. And then put the mouse guards on like buzzbee suggested. I would rather deal with breaking the propolis seal now and scraping away the extra buildup now than deal with the mess in the spring. Another question that comes to mind. Is the hive facing the prevailing winds with no barricades to stop from blowing in the entrance?

Highlandsfreedom · October 16, 2009, 12:09:56 PM

YAH!!!!! Its propolis. The girls have covered the entire entrance on both of the hives in my back yard and yes they are behind a fence facing East South East. Ill get better pics soon.

Scadsobees · October 16, 2009, 01:40:51 PM

Strange, huh?? I had a swarm hive do the same thing. I think that some bees are more genetically disposed to this sort of thing.

But I agree, get those mouse guards in. Them mousies can chew through propolis like nuthin'!! (although they might not ever get it off their teeth :roll: :))

Rick