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I had not considered that selective breeding for less propolis producing bees may be a reason why traditionally managed colonies produce less propolis. It is an

I had not considered that selective breeding for less propolis producing bees may be a reason why traditionally managed colonies produce less propolis. It is an interesting thought experiment to ponder. However, one thing that the article didn’t mention is that most managed hives, with removable frames, are made with wood that has been planed/sanded smooth on both sides. This makes everything uniform and easy to paint the outside of the boxes, but also limits where bees can/need to place propolis. I have seen (can’t find sources at the moment) some beekeepers recommending roughing up the inside walls of the boxes - either with low grit sandpaper or a wire brush - so as to create a more ‘natural’ hive and thus induce the bees to coat the inside of the hive with propolis like they would do in a tree hollow.

WaitWaitWha 5y ago
Insides of hives and frames are not painted.
- lostlogin 5y ago
  This is correct, and frames are not sanded or planed. Propolis is quite valuable and is quite easily harvested. I'm not aware of any beekeepers that try to prevent it.
  - masklinn 5y ago
    The above comment doesn’t say that beekeepers would try to prevent propolis, just that it would be a side-effect of better finish related to other purposes. And wooden frames are definitely sanded.
    - lostlogin 5y ago
      > And wooden frames are definitely sanded. I'm really sure mine aren't, they are just straight off the machine - they were just cut. Same for the boxes. They cost US$0.79 each, so the process must be pretty streamlined. If they were sanded is was super half arsed. Could the process vary from place to place? I'm in New Zealand. Edit: the vendor seems to say they aren’t sanded. “The fine toothed saws and cutters we use are so clean cutting you'd swear that every piece has been sanded smooth.” https://www.ceracell.co.nz/3-4d-mahurangi-frame-33mm-flatpack/ https://www.ceracell.co.nz/3-4d-mahurangi-frame-33mm-flatpac...
  - cfn 5y ago
    I have many dozens of frames next door and I am into woodworking myself. The frames are definitely planned ando/or sanded. I also lived until a couple of years amongst a large community of beekeepers and never met anyone that harvested propolis systematically. I am sure others do as it is a vaulable product but I suspect that most just process the hives for honey.

WaitWaitWha 5y ago

Insides of hives and frames are not painted.

lostlogin 5y ago
This is correct, and frames are not sanded or planed. Propolis is quite valuable and is quite easily harvested. I'm not aware of any beekeepers that try to prevent it.
- masklinn 5y ago
  The above comment doesn’t say that beekeepers would try to prevent propolis, just that it would be a side-effect of better finish related to other purposes. And wooden frames are definitely sanded.
  - lostlogin 5y ago
    > And wooden frames are definitely sanded. I'm really sure mine aren't, they are just straight off the machine - they were just cut. Same for the boxes. They cost US$0.79 each, so the process must be pretty streamlined. If they were sanded is was super half arsed. Could the process vary from place to place? I'm in New Zealand. Edit: the vendor seems to say they aren’t sanded. “The fine toothed saws and cutters we use are so clean cutting you'd swear that every piece has been sanded smooth.” https://www.ceracell.co.nz/3-4d-mahurangi-frame-33mm-flatpack/ https://www.ceracell.co.nz/3-4d-mahurangi-frame-33mm-flatpac...
- cfn 5y ago
  I have many dozens of frames next door and I am into woodworking myself. The frames are definitely planned ando/or sanded. I also lived until a couple of years amongst a large community of beekeepers and never met anyone that harvested propolis systematically. I am sure others do as it is a vaulable product but I suspect that most just process the hives for honey.