Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
put it in a freezer and, when it is very cold or frozen, you take it out of the freezer, flex
the screen and out will pop the propolis. In the commercial versions of this product, the
slots have slightly sloping sides that aid in the extraction of the propolis.
Alternatively, polyethylene-yarn netting can be employed. The propolis is removed by
scrunching up the netting after it has been frozen. Again, this netting can be purchased
at bee-supply shops, but many beekeepers buy a similar material from DIY or garden
stores that can do just as good a job but more cheaply. It always surprises me how many
items of beekeeping equipment can be substituted by much cheaper items that do the
job just as well.
Remember to keep the propolis well sealed to protect it from the wax moth. Propolis
contains varying amounts of wax and, on one occasion, we sold two barrels of propolis
heaving with wax moth larvae. We didn't receive much for them.
Collecting venom
To collect venom, a glass electric-shock plate is usually placed on the hive's alighting
board. On receiving a shock, a bee will sting the thin membrane that covers this plate.
Because it is able to withdraw its sting from this membrane, the bee then continues
to enter the hive. The venom is captured between the membrane and the glass, where
it dries. Once the venom has been scraped off this plate under hygienic conditions,
the plate is placed on another hive's entrance - colonies can become very defensive
if the plate is left on a hive for too long.
Interest in apitherapy (a branch of natural medicine using bee products) has increased
in recent years, and so the value of bee venom has consequently grown. Unfortunately,
there have been no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies validating the effectiveness
of bee venom. A trial carried out in 2005 did not show any efficaciousness for bee
venom in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Another study done the same year did,
however, show that bee venom may be effective as a treatment for arthritis.
Venom collecting is a very specialized branch of beekeeping, but it can be a lucrative
sideline or mainstream activity. Advice should therefore be sought from bee-supply
