Sunday 10 August 2014

Propolis, plant resin collected by bees.

We all know that bees collect nectar and pollen, but did you also know that bees collect plant resin to use as a disinfectant, glue and varnish inside the hive?  This substance, called ‘Propolis’, is collected by the bees from sticky buds and tree wounds.  The bees bring it back to the hive in the same way that they  carry pollen, in the ‘pollen baskets’ on their back legs.  The only difference is that it is so sticky that they cannot unload themselves and instead, another bee has to nibble the propolis off.