Peter Dillon wrote:

> Propolis "collection" and use in the fall - bees are seen to seal as many 
> cracks etc. in their colony container - are they just using propolis that 
> has been stored?

I am sure that they are not.  We see many bees returning with propolis in 
the autumn, so although some may be re-used, there is certainly a large 
amount being collected.

Yes, we see the 'sticky buds' on horsechestnut in the spring - every 
schoolchild knows about those (OK, schoolchildren used to know about them, 
before they became urbanised!) - but the sticky buds are long gone when the 
main propolis gathering season starts.  So where do they get it all from?
Best wishes

Peter Edwards
beekeepers at stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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