On Fri, 4 Sep 2009 08:34:41 +0100, Peter Edwards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Juanse:
>
>> That is why I do not think the browning is due to propolis but rather the
>> cocoon or the heat of the brood or something done by the bees on the wax,
>> from the inside or outside of the cell, but not from propolis.


Then how do you account for the fact that in an old hive, all of the wax (ie., brood comb, honey 
comb, burr and brace comb) -- all of it is dark brown or even black. 

I submit that the entire inside of the hive is covered with propolis eventually, and that the bees 
cannot help but track it everywhere on their feet. This would account for the travel stain on fresh 
honey comb and it accounts for the gobs of propolis all over the openings of a hive that is being 
robbed. 

Sort of like some honey houses I have seen. Once honey gets on the floor and equipment, pretty 
soon it is everywhere. That's why a honey house without a way of frequently and thoroughly 
washing down the walls, floors, and everything, is purgatory. Some of them (I am not making this 
up) have permanent layers of wax on the floors.


plb

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