Propolis Traps

vmmartin · October 22, 2010, 10:41:00 PM

I am collecting propolis with traps and was wondering if y'all had any thoughts about their use as the temps. start to fall off?
What about contributing to robbing as the smell can get out more easily?
I have a couple of hives that can fill a trap in like a week and am not sure if I should discontinue my collection.
Thanks

AllenF · October 22, 2010, 10:48:30 PM

I don't know when they cut it off, but I do know here in north Georgia, they are still gluing up like mad. I would guess they stop when they quit flying and go into winter cluster.

Do you have a market for your propolis?

Michael Bush · October 23, 2010, 02:57:50 AM

The bees won't gather propolis on a cold day... they can't work it.

vmmartin · October 23, 2010, 11:42:27 AM

Thanks y'all. Now that I hear it, it seems so simple. Allen, I do have just a couple of people that are wanting it. I started collecting mainly for myself. I am sure that if I can get a good supply, that I will be able to sell whatever I can get.

AllenF · October 23, 2010, 11:57:53 AM

I had a lady from a health food store want some this fall. I told her if she wanted to wait, I would get some for next year just for her along with what ever honey she wanted. All that fell through. She could not wait I guess. I don't know why people get so mad when I don't have enough of what they want. Everyone wants honey in the spring when I have been sold out for 6 months. They don't understand that. What kind of Propolis screens are you using and do you think that the bees don't glue up the hive as much with them on?

vmmartin · November 20, 2010, 10:37:56 PM

Quote from: AllenF on October 23, 2010, 11:57:53 AM
I had a lady from a health food store want some this fall. I told her if she wanted to wait, I would get some for next year just for her along with what ever honey she wanted. All that fell through. She could not wait I guess. I don't know why people get so mad when I don't have enough of what they want. Everyone wants honey in the spring when I have been sold out for 6 months. They don't understand that. What kind of Propolis screens are you using and do you think that the bees don't glue up the hive as much with them on?

Allen, I got mine from Dadant. I only left them on for about a month. Two hives were "propin" like mad and would fill a trap in a week. The other hives barely touched them.

Finski · November 21, 2010, 04:07:33 PM

.
Bees gather propolis mostly after middsummer.

But burlap sheet over top´bars. Bees fill the cloth with propolis. Then put it into freezer -18C and crush it. The fragile propolis goes to pieces.

cam · November 22, 2010, 07:41:21 AM

window screen also works the same way.

jdpro5010 · November 23, 2010, 04:03:21 PM

I am not sure how "food approved" window screen is though!

Bee-Bop · November 23, 2010, 05:42:10 PM

Quote from: jdpro5010 on November 23, 2010, 04:03:21 PM
I am not sure how "food approved" window screen is though!

Let's see, aluminum screen wire is, aluminum, jut like some of your kitchen pots & pans. :shock:

I would think aluminum pots & pans are " food approved ", they have been used for years. ;)

Bee-Bop

AllenF · November 23, 2010, 07:56:23 PM

The aluminum screen is getting hard to find now days. I had to go to the hardware store in town for it. Everybody else carries the cloth or nylon screen.

Finski · November 24, 2010, 12:20:16 PM

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The idea is that you may twist the clothe and so freezed resin brakes. Metall does not work in this.