Honey bee hives offer a wide range of materials that humans can use. As beekeepers, it is important to harvest with intention, balancing human needs with the wellbeing of the colony. Thoughtful use of the hive not only reduces waste but also opens doors for creative projects or small business opportunities. No matter what is crafted, the product reflects the bees’ hard work and value!

Bee Resourceful, Bee Respectful

Honey is the most well-known product of the hive, and for good reasons. It is a versatile ingredient used in baking, added into drinks and marinades. Honey can also be fermented, which makes a product known as mead! Composed of mainly fructose and glucose, honey is a natural sweetener that can be raw or pasteurized. There are also different types of honey depending on the plant the nectar is collected from. Numerous factors influence the characteristics of honey such as color, which is usually dependent on factors such as storage time, temperature, humidity, or forage type ¹. The consistency of honey may also vary depending on the process of crystallization, this is mostly caused by storage temperature¹.

Infused honey and creamed honey are popular variations that offer new texture and flavors. Beyond food, honey has many medicinal properties, including antioxidant activity, wound healing, anticancer potential, and antimicrobial behaviors ². Honey can retain calcium in the body and deter bacterial growth ³. Honey has also been found to stimulate new tissue growth and have antimicrobial properties due to its low pH and water content when applied on top of a wound ³.

Honey is a great food that is filled with sugars, water, minerals, amino acids and enzymes ³. It is an important component of the hive. Responsible harvesting is essential, honey must be left for the bees, especially as winter feed to support colony survival.

Figure 1: Honey bees storing nectar in cells (Perennia ©, 2024)

Wax is another important product made by the hive. This beeswax can be transformed into a wide range of useful products like lip balm, candles, soap, crayons, or food wraps. It can be easily collected from burr comb or honey capping. When melting wax, it is important to use a double boiler over electric heat, as was is highly flammable. Wax is also capable of drawing in substances that are lipophilic, which could be harmful residues that may come from hives treated with pesticides or miticides ³.

Beeswax is biodegradable and long-lasting, making it a valuable alternative to synthetic materials. Using beeswax to create new materials may reduce waste, and reliance for some supplies. Whether used for crafts or practical items, wax offers a sustainable impact.

Figure 2: Honey bees on a frame of new wax (ATTTA ©, 2025)

Propolis is another product that honey bees create using wax, pollen, natural resins and salivary secretions ⁴.  Bees use this to coat the inside of the hive, such as the inner walls and frames to protect it from intruders or poor weather ⁴. Honey bees also use propolis to seal foreign objects like mice or snakes, that are difficult to remove from the hive, preventing decomposition inside the hive ³.

Propolis contains a wide range of chemical compounds and it is thought to have therapeutic uses, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and wound-healing properties ⁴. Its natural activity makes it promising in health and wellness products. Harvesting propolis should be done carefully as it is important for bees inside the hive.

Honey bee hives offer more than just honey, but also wax for creating materials and propolis for medicinal uses. Mindful harvesting of these materials supports both sustainability and innovation. By harvesting hive products with care and intention, waste could be reduced and meaningful gifts can be made. Whether operating at a hobby, or commercial scale, the hive has a lot to offer. Materials should be used wisely and resources returned when possible to support colony health. 

Written by the one and only Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca

References:

1.      Kardas, M., Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, W., Sołtys, K., Dul, L., Sapała, A.M., Kiciak, A., Bielaszka, A. and Kardas, J., 2024. The quality of selected raw and pasteurized honeys based on their sensory profiles and consumer preferences. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, p.1330307.

2.      Miguel, M.G., Antunes, M.D. and Faleiro, M.L., 2017. Honey as a complementary medicine. Integrative medicine insights, 12, p.1178633717702869.

3.      Sammataro, D. and Avitabile, A., 1998. The beekeeper's handbook. Cornell University Press.

4.      Martinotti, S. and Ranzato, E., 2015. Propolis: a new frontier for wound healing?. Burns & trauma, 3(1), p.9.

Experimental Evidence for Therapeutic Potentials of Propolis

Last week we investigated some of the medicinal properties of honey, especially in wound care. Recent advancements in research have bettered our general understanding of the benefits of hive products in supporting human health. This week we will explore potential human health-benefits of propolis.

Opportunity for PEI beekeepers: ATTTA will be hosting a limited series of monthly informative discussion sessions with the PEI beekeeping industry beginning October 20, 2021. These sessions are offered through the PEI Beekeepers’ Association. See the infographic at the end of this week’s blog for all the details!

A reminder for the NSBA Fall Technical Session! This session will be held virtually. We hope to “see” you there to join in on some great beekeeping discussions this Saturday from 10AM – 12PM.

Experimental Evidence for Therapeutic Potentials of Propolis

Propolis is a sticky substance produced by honey bees which they often use as a glue within the hive and around hive entrances. Bees collect resinous materials from certain plants they visit (e.g., birch trees, pine trees, & alder trees) and then mix in their own enzymes, and varying amounts of beeswax, to modify the collected materials into a product the bees can use as a construction material. Beyond this use, propolis also contains components which lend antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to the hive where it has been applied. Due to this, an interest is building into the development of natural and novel human health products and treatments.

As highlighted in a recent review (Bhargava et al., 2021), it is important to note that the quality and composition of propolis depends on its geographic location, climatic zone and local flora (Bhargava et al. 2021). In other words, not all propolis is created equally and therapeutic potentials vary, just as with honey! In the propolis world, New Zealand and Brazilian green propolis have been the focus of recent studies. Results from these studies have contributed experimental evidence to support the therapeutic bioactivities of active compounds found in these two kinds of propolis which include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antitumor
• Antimetastatic
• Hepatoprotective
• Antimicrobial

Some other types of propolis that have undergone experimental investigations to determine therapeutic potentials of their components and extracts include:

• Taiwanese propolis – antioxidant and antitumor activities
• Chinese propolis – antiproliferative effect
• Canadian propolis – radical scavenging activity
• Greek propolis – antimicrobial
• Cuban propolis - antioxidant

A recent publication (Shaldam et al., 2021) demonstrates additional, possible medicinal effect of propolis.  This study investigated the use of propolis as an inhibitor of COVID-19. Interactions of 14 honey and propolis compounds (including certain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes) with the target enzymes of the causative agent of COVID-19 were analyzed. Of the 14 compounds, four were highlighted to be potential effective inhibitors of COVID-19.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many drugs have been repurposed and analyzed as potential treatments and preventatives of this viral infection. This also facilitated an opportunity to progress knowledge, understanding, and evidence of the healthcare potentials of hive products. Overall, this theoretical study supports further research to assess the potential of using compounds found in honey and propolis as a COVID-19 inhibitor.

Experimental evidence suggests that propolis has potential health benefits.  We will revisit the topic of health benefits of hive products in subsequent blogs to learn more about the broader benefits of these products not only for their own sake, but also beekeeping enterprises.

 

Bhargava, P., Mahanta, D., Kaul, A., Ishida, Y., Terao, K., Wadhwa, R. & Kaul, S. C. 2021. Experimental Evidence for Therapeutic Potentials of Propolis, Nutrients. Full text available online.

Shaldam, M. A., Yahya, G., Mohamed, N. H., Abdel-Daim, M. M. & Naggar, Y. A. 2021. In silico screening of potent bioactive compounds from honeybee products against COVID-19 target enzymes, Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Full text available online. 

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email abyers@perennia.ca

Nosema in Atlantic Canada

Last week we reviewed some key aspects of fall varroa mite management, with emphasis on making sure we are using treatment products responsibly and when our sampling indicates that treatment is warranted. Continuing on the topic of fall pest and disease management, this week we will explore some recent studies investigating seasonal trends of Nosema with consideration of the shift in Nosema species prevalence. Fall presents an opportune time to perform Nosema sampling and to treat if this indicates the infection level is above the economic threshold.

Nosema in Atlantic Canada

In the world of beekeeping and honey bee research, the topic of Nosema has gained increasing attention thanks to the realized shift in prevalence of Nosema species, from Nosema apis towards Nosema ceranae. Last year, ATTTA shared interesting, significant results from our regionally relevant investigation: Evaluating Efficacy of Fumagilin-B® Against Nosemosis and Tracking Seasonal Trends of Nosema spp. in Nova Scotia Honey Bee Colonies (McCallum et al. 2020).

The results of this study (as outlined in Blog #25) revealed a shift in Nosema species infecting honey bee colonies in Atlantic Canada.  It also identified seasonal trends in infection levels and treatment efficacy (McCallum et al. 2020) specific to our region. This research helps build a better comprehension of nosemosis but emphasized a knowledge gap in understanding best management practices for control of Nosema, especially Nosema ceranae.

Lately, new research has added to our understanding of Nosema. Two examples of this type of work are explored below.

Seasonality of Nosema ceranae Infections and Their Relationship with Honey Bee Populations, Food Stores, and Survivorship in a North American Region (Emsen et al.  2020)

To help address the lack of knowledge and understanding of Nosema ceranae, a recent study from Southern Ontario aimed to determine how an infection impacts honey bees in a realistic beekeeping setting, and optimal treatment strategies to control an infection. Contributing to this aim, researchers investigated seasonal changes in the intensity, prevalence, and spore viability of Nosema ceranae infections, and explored how an infection impacts colony conditions and honey bee longevity.

This study revealed interesting, significant results that contribute to our knowledge and understanding surrounding Nosema ceranae and are summarized below:

• Intensity: higher in spring/summer than fall
• Prevalence: higher in spring/summer than fall
• Spore viability: ~4x higher in spring than summer/fall
• Colony conditions: low level N. ceranae infection (<1,000,000 spores/bee): more bees, brood, pollen stores, and honey stores than high level infection (>2,000,000 spores/bee)
• Longevity: decreased survivorship rates in infected worker bees

This study also emphasizes the need for additional investigations on the epidemiology and the impact of Nosema ceranae in honey bee colonies in other geographic regions, due to potential regional differences in disease virulence, susceptibility, and therefore overall impact.

Mitigating Nosema ceranae infection in western honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers using propolis collected from honey bee and stingless bee (Tetrigona apicalis) hives (Naree et al. 2021)

Fumagillin has been, and continues to be, the best treatment option for controlling Nosema infections. However, reliance on a single treatment product combined with concerns regarding human exposure to fumagillin, and the shift in prevalence from N. apis to N. ceranae encourages research for finding novel treatments for Nosema.

In this recent study, the efficacy of two kinds of propolis (from honey bee and stingless bee hives) as a treatment for Nosema ceranae infections was investigated. Results revealed in this investigation are interesting and significant.  The main points are outlined below:

• Increased probability of infected bee survival with either kind of propolis treatment
• Decreased infection rate and infectivity in bees treated with either kind of propolis
• Increased protein contents in both hypopharyngeal glands and hemolymph in bees treated with either kind of propolis

Although these are interesting and exciting results, more research is needed to improve understanding of how propolis works to combat Nosema ceranae infections, and how treatment efficacy varies depending on geographic location. 

 

Emsen, B., Mora, A., Lacey, B., Eccles, L., Kelly, P. G., Medina-Flores, C. A., Petukhova, T., Morfin, N., & Guzman-Novoa, E. (2020).  Seasonality of Nosema ceranae Infections and Their Relationship with Honey Bee Populations, Food Stores, and Survivorship in a North American Region, Journal of Veterinary Sciences, full text available online.

McCallum, R., Olmstead, S., Shaw, J., & Glasgow, K. (2020). Evaluating Efficacy of Fumagilin-B® Against Nosemosis and Tracking Seasonal Trends of Nosema spp. in Nova Scotia Honey Bee Colonies, Journal of Apicultural Science, full text available online.

Naree, S., Benbow, M. E., Suwannapong, G., & Ellis, J. (2021). Mitigating Nosema ceranae infection in western honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers using propolis collected from honey bee and stingless bee (Tetrigona apicalis) hives, Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, full text available online.

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email abyers@perennia.ca