Propolis Busting

BlueBee · September 24, 2011, 02:58:28 PM

What are your best tips for removing propolis from top cover or inner cover vents?

boca · September 24, 2011, 03:35:51 PM

When I feel draft I close the windows.
My tip is using NaOH on a sunny spring day :)

T Beek · September 24, 2011, 04:54:04 PM

A sharp hive tool and replacing the screen ;)

thomas

Poppi · September 24, 2011, 05:22:41 PM

I read somewhere if you freeze propolis it will shatter if you hit it... never tried it though.

Vance G · September 24, 2011, 05:30:20 PM

wait for a fine crisp mid Michigan day in January and srape it with a hive toop or poke it with a capping scratcher and it will go away. If this is in use then, they may know best.

nella · September 24, 2011, 05:50:36 PM

Red Devil Paint scraper
Scraper, Double Edge - 2 1/2" (6.4 cm) Blade
SKU: 3050WD
Our Price: $7.99
It works well for cleaning the inside of supers and frames of proplis and bur comb.

Kathyp · September 24, 2011, 05:51:28 PM

they close things up for a reason ;)

Scadsobees · September 24, 2011, 10:10:45 PM

I too say leave it be.

Michael Bush · September 24, 2011, 11:39:02 PM

Wait for a cold day and it will break off with a the hive tool...
or leave it...

BlueBee · September 25, 2011, 05:35:53 AM

Quote from: kathyp on September 24, 2011, 05:51:28 PM
they close things up for a reason ;)

Yes, and I open things up for a reason :)

Has anybody ever tried a heat gun to melt the stuff?

Michael Bush · September 25, 2011, 08:45:08 AM

Cold works much better than heat... but as with many things in life, propolis responds best to one extreme or the other.

Kathyp · September 25, 2011, 12:38:29 PM

QuoteYes, and I open things up for a reason

is your reasoning better than the bees reasoning? ;)

boca · September 25, 2011, 01:08:05 PM

Quote from: kathyp on September 25, 2011, 12:38:29 PM
is your reasoning better than the bees reasoning? ;)

I am convinced my reasoning is better than others' one, for if I perceive others' reasoning is better I adopt it immediately.
(even if the others are bees)

derekm · September 25, 2011, 03:58:24 PM

My vote is with the bees ... do we have quorum yet

rgy · September 25, 2011, 09:18:23 PM

there is not a screen over my inner cover. I don't think there should be. Maybe I am wrong, but I would go with the bees know best.

iddee · September 25, 2011, 09:22:47 PM

Leave the screen on. The ants will tell you what would have been best. They love honey.

BlueBee · September 26, 2011, 12:52:34 AM

There is no democracy in my bee yard, I am the king bee :)

Iddee, does have a good point though.

This top came off a bottom entrance hive that was starting to beard. That suggests to me the hive was probably getting too warm and the bees forgot where the attic fan was located. Sometimes the parents know better than the kids. No?

sterling · September 26, 2011, 12:06:17 PM

I like my bees to fill things with propolis it leaves less places for the hive beetles to hide but ya'll prolly don't have beetles. :)