How Do Bees Make Propolis?
Q: How do bees make propolis?
A: Propolis is made by honeybees from plant resins collected from buds, tree bark, and leaves. Bees mix these resins with wax and saliva to create a sticky, antimicrobial substance used to seal gaps, protect against disease, and maintain hive hygiene.
What Is Propolis?
Propolis, often called bee glue, is a resinous substance used by bees to:
- Seal small gaps in the hive
- Disinfect and reinforce the hive interior
- Prevent pathogen growth
- Mummify intruders too large to remove
It has a sticky texture at room temperature but becomes brittle when cold. Its colour ranges from yellow-brown to dark reddish brown, depending on the source plants.
Composition of Propolis
The exact makeup of propolis varies by region and season, but it typically contains:
| Component | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Plant resins and balsams | 50–60% |
| Beeswax | 30% |
| Essential oils | 10% |
| Pollen and enzymes | 5% |
| Organic acids, flavonoids, phenolics | Trace amounts |
These compounds give propolis its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
Why Do Bees Make Propolis?
Bees make propolis to maintain a clean, disease-resistant, and climate-stable hive.
| Use | Description |
|---|---|
| Sealing gaps | Prevents cold drafts and invaders from entering |
| Sterilising surfaces | Coats hive interior, brood cells, and entrance |
| Defence | Seals off dead intruders to prevent decay |
| Structural support | Reinforces frames, walls, and hive openings |
Unlike beeswax, which is used to build comb, propolis is applied in thin layers or plugs where needed.
Step-by-Step: How Do Bees Make Propolis?
1. Collection of Plant Resins
Forager bees seek out resinous materials from:
- Buds of poplar, pine, eucalyptus, acacia, and citrus trees
- Tree wounds or bark lesions
- Leaf stems or shoots
They use their mandibles to scrape the resin, then pack it into their corbiculae (pollen baskets) on their hind legs.
Resin is sticky and hard to manage, so collecting it is time-consuming and usually done during warm daylight hours.
2. Transport to the Hive
Once back at the hive:
- Resin-collecting bees wait for house bees to remove the resin from their hind legs.
- The forager cannot dislodge the sticky load by herself.
- Other bees bite or chew the resin and begin mixing it with wax and saliva enzymes.
3. Blending and Processing
The resin is mixed with:
- Beeswax: to make it more workable
- Saliva enzymes: to increase antimicrobial activity
The final blend becomes propolis — pliable and adhesive enough to spread or pack into cracks.
4. Application in the Hive
Bees apply propolis to:
- Cracks and holes in the hive walls or floor
- Hive entrance (creating a narrow, defensible gate)
- Cell rims and brood combs (for sterilisation)
- Smooth surfaces such as hive box walls or plastic frames
They may also mummify invaders like small lizards or mice that die inside the hive. Propolis coats and preserves the carcass, preventing disease.
Propolis Collection and Use
How Much Propolis Do Bees Make?
- A single hive can produce between 100 g to 300 g of propolis per season.
- Bees collect more when:
- The hive has structural gaps
- The weather is cool or variable
- Pathogen or predator pressure is high
Bee Behaviour and Hive Hygiene
Propolis plays a vital role in bee immunity and hygiene:
- Bees coat brood cells with a thin layer of propolis before the queen lays eggs
- They may line the entire interior with a “propolis envelope”, especially in wild hives
- Colonies with access to diverse plant resins tend to show lower levels of bacterial and viral infections
Do Humans Harvest Propolis?
Yes – propolis is collected for use in:
- Natural medicines
- Tinctures and supplements
- Cough syrups and lozenges
- Wound healing balms
- Dental hygiene products
Methods of collection include:
- Using propolis traps (plastic sheets with grooves) inserted near hive lids
- Scraping hardened propolis from hive walls or frames
- Gently warming frames to loosen propolis deposits
Collected propolis is usually:
- Ground or frozen
- Extracted with alcohol or glycerin for tinctures
- Made into capsules, creams, or oral sprays
Human Uses of Propolis
| Use | Description |
|---|---|
| Immune support | Contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds |
| Oral health | Reduces plaque and gingivitis |
| Antiviral | Used in treating colds and sore throats |
| Wound care | Antibacterial and antifungal properties aid healing |
| Cosmetics | Found in ointments, lip balms, and serums |
⚠️ People with bee product allergies should use caution when handling or consuming propolis.
FAQs How Bees Make Propolis
Q: Is propolis the same as beeswax?
A: No. Beeswax is made from abdominal wax glands for comb building. Propolis is made from plant resins mixed with wax and saliva for sealing and protection.
Q: What trees do bees use to make propolis?
A: Common sources include poplar, pine, eucalyptus, citrus, and acacia trees.
Q: How do bees apply propolis inside the hive?
A: Bees chew the sticky material and use their mandibles to smear or plug it into cracks and crevices.
Q: Can you eat propolis?
A: Yes, propolis is consumed in tinctures, capsules, and lozenges, but it may cause allergic reactions.
Q: Does propolis kill bacteria?
A: Yes. It contains antimicrobial compounds that help reduce bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the hive.
Summary: Propolis as the Hive’s Immune System
Propolis is more than a glue — it is a biological tool for maintaining a sterile and secure hive. It acts like the colony’s immune system, preventing infection, sealing threats, and supporting larval health.
Unlike wax or honey, it is not food — it is medicine and building material combined.
For beekeepers and natural health consumers alike, propolis is a powerful example of how bees harness nature to defend and protect their colony.
In South Africa, bees make propolis from local tree resins, especially from acacia, eucalyptus, and marula trees, giving the substance antimicrobial properties that vary by region and are often studied for their potent medicinal value.
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