Harvesting propolis while Apitraz is on

[XYZ]

Hi everyone,

I know Apitraz taints honey, but can it taint propolis? I've been asked for some propolis but all colonies have Apitraz on at the moment. I think the purpose is to go into a tincture. I believe the propolis will be dissolved in alcohol and taken in a shot.

 

[Ian123]

I would not be harvesting anything whilst treating, wait until treatment period is over at least

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is it a good idea to be harvesting propolis at a time of year when the bees really need it to winter proof their hive and will shortly have no opportunity to collect more?
Just a thought

 

[XYZ]

Yeah fair enough. I thought at the very least since it didn't come up in a search I'd get it on the forum for anyone looking through in future.

 

[XYZ]

Just reviving this one as I am curious to know if anyone has further information on the matter.

I had to scrape out some propolis today as it was making it difficult to move things about. These colonies were all treated with Apitraz in autumn.
What are the chances of the propolis containing amitraz? I have people asking me for propolis and I want to make sure it's fine.

 

[Beefriendly]

Way I would look at it is Amitraz is an insecticide. Bees and varroa are insects. The level of amitraz in a hive is designed to be so low that it doesn't kill bees but high enough to kill the much smaller varroa.
I think the traces of any (if any) in propolis will not affect any humans eating or dapping it on cold spots etc.
They find that wax is more problematic with a whole residue of pesticides being found from sprayed flowers/crops the bees have been feeding on. In a case study in Belgium several non EU licence pesticides showed up.
I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Ian123]

Get yourself 1 of those grids made for the job and harvest some freshly produced propolis if you are concerned. They are far more productive in late season as bees are shutting up shop though. Remember some bees and indeed locations produce far more than others.

 

[Curley]

What Ian says ...

Apitraz(amitraz) is in the hive for weeks.
Propolis is gunk (technical term)off trees mixed with wax and bee spit.
Amitraz (or its breakdown products - which actually do the biz)has been shown to be accumulated in both honey and wax , wax being rather worse(better?) but a very low levels more where the treatment has been abused (overdosed)
So - it seems likely there will be v low levels of amitraz in your propolis.

How much and whether that is a problem is probably unknown as can find no research done. Others may know differently but I am guessing that the lack of answers mean people don't know.

Why not collect some fresh now that most of the apitraz is out of the hive and then your conscience will be clear?

Good luck

 

[XYZ]

BF / Ian / Curley

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it. I will look at harvesting fresh propolis - I think that's best for me as I like to be ultra careful. It may sound daft but if I gave this propolis away it would always sit in my mind as containing amitraz, even if it's the tiniest, unharmful amount.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Get yourself 1 of those grids made for the job and harvest some freshly produced propolis if you are concerned. They are far more productive in late season as bees are shutting up shop though. Remember some bees and indeed locations produce far more than others.

I'll second that.

Amitraz is a very nasty product (have a google) and no matter how little is put in the hive, if I did use it (that's not going to happen) I couldn't sell hive products for human consumption and sleep well at night.

Trim to National size.

 

[citrus]

Ian btw ... Dave Cushman site has this ...


"Netting made from polyethylene yarn can also be used for collection."

might have a go at this later in the year but do you have a recommended approach for this ?

 

[drex]

The fine mesh plastic screen sold in garden centres is much cheaper than the stuff from bee suppliers and works just as well.

 

[citrus]

The fine mesh plastic screen sold in garden centres is much cheaper than the stuff from bee suppliers and works just as well.

thanks for the tip ... and what do you do .. lay it on the top of the frames ? or down the side ?

 

[ericbeaumont]

By chance I came across this readable and comprehensive biography of propolis which uses IBRA records and international writers; it was produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN in Rome in 1996. Every aspect of beekeeping is covered and the quality of the information is pretty impressive; some of it (but not much) may be in need of updating given the date of publication.

If you scroll to 5.8 on Chapter 5 there are details and pictures of propolis screens and traps. In reality, I just lay the screen on the top bars in late summer (if I remember).

 

[citrus]

By chance I came across this readable and comprehensive biography of propolis which uses IBRA records and international writers; it was produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN in Rome in 1996. Every aspect of beekeeping is covered and the quality of the information is pretty impressive; some of it (but not much) may be in need of updating given the date of publication.

If you scroll to 5.8 on Chapter 5 there are details and pictures of propolis screens and traps. In reality, I just lay the screen on the top bars in late summer (if I remember).

Lovely thanks Eric- may the sun shine on you Sir !