Use DIY mesh screens as propolis collectors

Place a sheet of plastic canvas or hardware cloth with 3-4 mm openings on top of the frames, under the inner cover. Bees treat the mesh gaps as crevices to seal, filling them with propolis over several weeks. Remove the filled screen, freeze it for 2-4 hours, then flex or roll it to crack out the propolis.

Why It Works

This method works on the same principle as commercial traps but uses inexpensive, widely available materials. The small mesh openings trigger the same gap-sealing instinct in bees. Yields are typically 30-150 g per season -- better than scraping, though generally less than purpose-built commercial traps with optimally sized slits.

Tips

• Plastic canvas (used for needlework, available at craft stores) works better than metal hardware cloth because it flexes easily for propolis removal
• Cut the screen to fit snugly inside the hive body so bees cannot bypass it
• Replace screens every 2-3 weeks during peak season for maximum yield
• Avoid using galvanized metal mesh, which can leave zinc residue in the propolis