1 ounce Bee Glue is a sticky, brown substance sometimes known as propolis. The honey bees gather tree resin, the main ingredient in propolis, from buds and cracks in the bark. Propolis has a little pollen in it, too. When analyzed, propolis contains about 60% resin, 30% wax and oils, 5% pollen, and 5% amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
The honey bee workers use bee glue as a construction material, similar to plaster or caulk. They cover the interior surfaces of the hive with it, and fill any gaps and cracks. Bees also use it to strengthen their honeycomb. In a man-made hive box, the bees will use propolis to seal the lid and hive boxes together. The beekeeper uses a special hive tool to break the bee glue seal and remove the lid.
