Foundation from china

[lcdutton]

Hi all

I bought some BS brood and super foundation from STB that was made in china. They say it’s 100% beeswax but it doesn’t really smell like wax to me (more of a chemical smell), the Thorne wax I have smells much nicer (appreciate it is more expensive).

Question is, do people find bees take to this wax ok and draw it out similar to real beeswax. I’m happy to use it just not sure how inferior it might be. Additionally, how do people like Thorne prevent this wax (that I assume is mixed with other non-beeswax) being traded in and contaminating their supply? Assume there is no way to know?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

how do people like Thorne prevent this wax (that I assume is mixed with other non-beeswax) being traded in and contaminating their supply?

how do you know there is anything to 'contaminate'? I've had foundation from Thornes and other British suppliers that 'doesn’t really smell like wax' but I very much doubt there is any naughtiness in its production.
It wasn't that long ago that Murray Mcgregor pitched in on here with regards to Chinese wax saying there was not much wrong with it.
I think, thanks to the sensationalist media we have all (me included) picked up a bit of Sinophobia the last few years

 

[lcdutton]

how do you know there is anything to 'contaminate'? I've had foundation from Thornes and other British suppliers that 'doesn’t really smell like wax' but I very much doubt there is any naughtiness in its production.
It wasn't that long ago that Murray Mcgregor pitched in on here with regards to Chinese wax saying there was not much wrong with it.
I think, thanks to the sensationalist media we have all (me included) picked up a bit of Sinophobia the last few years

Very good point and that is reassuring to know. Given we consume a lot of goods manufactured in china in the UK that are of high quality, we shouldn’t assume wax is any different. Think it was on my mind given the honey adulteration news. I am pleased given how many frames I have made up with it!

 

[pargyle]

You will find out when you give it to the bees - if they don't like it -they won't use it ! I've always run my hives foundationless - I was given some new waxed frames a few years ago which I was relucant to waste - the bees refused to draw it out. I swapped them out one at a time with my usual frames and they drew them in no time. Bonfire material ....

 

[Sutty]

I was making up frames in the garden last year with, as I remember, maisemore's foundation - it was very noticeable how attractive the bees found it!
It would be interesting to put a few sheets of different suppliers' foundation out near the hives and see which attracted attention.

 

[JamezF]

It wasn't that long ago that Murray Mcgregor pitched in on here with regards to Chinese wax saying there was not much wrong with it.

I feel sure that someone also posted some information here about an analysis of wax from foundation showing that it also contained residues from pesticides and medical treatments. Not that it's likely to be possible to avoid such things given the international trade in beeswax however.

I'll see if I can find the post this evening. Too many other things to be doing today.

James

 

[thorn]

You must realise that Chinese wax contains miniature radio transmitters. Be very careful what you tell your bees while inspecting them.

 

[Spiney Norman]

I think that a lot of foundation probably has a small amount of synthetic wax in it to make it less brittle. I also think that it makes the foundation smell a bit less like pure beeswax.

I am sure someone said that Thornes uses exchanged wax in their candle wax. The foundation comes from Africa where contamination is less likely. I think I saw that on a BIBBA webinar the other day (????)

 

[Newbeeneil]

I think that a lot of foundation probably has a small amount of synthetic wax in it to make it less brittle. I also think that it makes the foundation smell a bit less like pure beeswax.

I am sure someone said that Thornes uses exchanged wax in their candle wax. The foundation comes from Africa where contamination is less likely. I think I saw that on a BIBBA webinar the other day (????)

I seem to remember Thornes saying there standard wax was from China.

 

[Garry R]

You must realise that Chinese wax contains miniature radio transmitters. Be very careful what you tell your bees while inspecting them.

Some of the language I use in the apiary (only when appropriate you understand) probably is not able to be translated into Mandarin so that's OK!