Showing posts with label Propolis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Propolis. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Annotated Bib: "Small Scale Beekeeping", Curtis Gentry

Gentry, Curtis. Small Scale Beekeeping (PDF on Top Bar Hives). 1982. Found at:
Published by the Peace Corps to teach the usage of Top Bar Hives in developing countries. There are other resources found on the internet, but this is a free resource with basic information on using TBH's.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Modern Bee Pic #3


This is a picture of Top Bar Hive (TBH) honeycomb being drawn out and worked on the bar by the worker bees. The cream colored comb to the left is virgin comb. It's comb that has yet to be used for pollen, honey production, or raising young. It is one of the most beautiful things in the world to me.

At the top right of the picture, along the bottom edge of the bar, there is a substance that looks like melted Bit o' Honey. This is propolis. The bees manufacture it from tree sap. It is sometimes referred to as "bee glue". It is very sticky when warm or hot. Bees use it to fill in spaces and cracks they deem harmful to the hive.

The best reaction I get when showing people this picture or comb I have on hand is from kids. They see the comb and they are already in awe. Then I tell them the bees built it without using a ruler. Their eyes go wide and they get very excited. After that, I am usually unable to keep up with all of their questions.