my question would be if the bees eat any of the wax applied??? soy in any form other than fermented is not healthy for humans to consume( do your research on that)...also by using some of the natural waxes. will it be enticing for predators to eat?..many of todays wire insulation and plastics are soy based and food for rats and mice....so are you making your hives more prevalent to predators by waxing them??
Hot wax dipping hives in soy, palm or other natural wax options (non petrol) (non beeswax)
Hi friends, long time follower first time post,
I am seeking advices on hot wax dipping with -non petrol- based wax and -non beeswax- based wax.
So primarily soy, palm or the like. Open to other natural suggestions.
I am aware that most folks use the 50/50 paraffin / microcrystalline, some gum rosin added in some percentage. And I totally understand that.
I personally do not want the petrol products in the hive or to purchase those goods.
I personally do not want to use beeswax as it likely has chemicals, and potential diesease vectors I wish not to introduce into my hives.
I am a treatment free beekeeper.
That said, please respond on your experience with soy wax, palm wax, and those mixed with ratios of gum rosin.
I am not looking for an argument on why petrol or beeswax is better, Im not looking for speculation. Just looking for feedback and experience from those who have DONE This.
I have found a great price (I think) at $2.32/lb delivered, for soy wax, and $2.31/lb delivered for palm wax.
Previously I have protected my hives using "tried and true" which is polymerized linseed oil and beeswax, (on the outside only) and then this was torched in with a weed torch so it melts into the wood. Has worked great for some time but I am convinced by the art form of hot wax dipping and ready to commit a large number of hives to being dipped.
Help me out if you have any links, or blogs with experience in this.
In the end, if I have to bite the bullet I will go 50/50 parafin microcrystalline with gum rosin, but I WOULD REALLY PREFER NOT TO. And I think there must be a natural solution even if it means it lasts 10-15 years instead of 20-30 that would be okay with me, I can dip once every 10 years.
Cheers thank you in advance.
AL
I am seeking advices on hot wax dipping with -non petrol- based wax and -non beeswax- based wax.
So primarily soy, palm or the like. Open to other natural suggestions.
I am aware that most folks use the 50/50 paraffin / microcrystalline, some gum rosin added in some percentage. And I totally understand that.
I personally do not want the petrol products in the hive or to purchase those goods.
I personally do not want to use beeswax as it likely has chemicals, and potential diesease vectors I wish not to introduce into my hives.
I am a treatment free beekeeper.
That said, please respond on your experience with soy wax, palm wax, and those mixed with ratios of gum rosin.
I am not looking for an argument on why petrol or beeswax is better, Im not looking for speculation. Just looking for feedback and experience from those who have DONE This.
I have found a great price (I think) at $2.32/lb delivered, for soy wax, and $2.31/lb delivered for palm wax.
Previously I have protected my hives using "tried and true" which is polymerized linseed oil and beeswax, (on the outside only) and then this was torched in with a weed torch so it melts into the wood. Has worked great for some time but I am convinced by the art form of hot wax dipping and ready to commit a large number of hives to being dipped.
Help me out if you have any links, or blogs with experience in this.
In the end, if I have to bite the bullet I will go 50/50 parafin microcrystalline with gum rosin, but I WOULD REALLY PREFER NOT TO. And I think there must be a natural solution even if it means it lasts 10-15 years instead of 20-30 that would be okay with me, I can dip once every 10 years.
Cheers thank you in advance.
AL
1 - 2 of 4 Posts
well for a real answer you would need a mouse to answer..lol..but mice and rats do eat plenty of car plastic and wiring..so time will tell if mice and critters start to eat the wood/hives treated with any type of wax or petroleum product...Maybe. I understand the parafin / micro is the standard. I was curious if anyone has actually tried natural waxes. My understanding is if I were to use say palm wax and gum rosin and cook it into the wood it would be sealed in by the rosin and as I keep my hives about 3 feet high along with the hardened rosin (resin). I cannot see a mouse wanting to try to eat any palm wax. Beyond this, mice dont try to eat palm leaves with natural wax in nature. And my understanding regarding legumes is they are not really eaten by many if any creatures except humans (after cooking or fermenting them as you said). So then why would a mouse say, be interested in the palm or soy wax (mixed with resin and forced into the wood at high temperatures)? Also my understanding regarding wax dipping whether petrol or natural is they dont really feel waxy afterwards if you do it right the wax is soaked up and the box is nearly smooth or dry feeling on the surface. Technical answer, but I dont expect nay mice to nibble on the wood any more than they might otherwise, due to the logic above. Thoughts?
1 - 2 of 4 Posts
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