We have bees living in the cavity around our pond

[addy1]

@KC Crook Propolis is what keeps the hive healthy and its a by product that bee keepers dont have much of a use for .
It is used by koi keepers to treat wounds and is added to koi food to give them a boost , you can buy it in liquid and spray forms from any health food store , use the spray on wounds and the liquid mixed in with koi pellets
Or you can go to your local bee keeper and buy it from them but I'm unsure how you turn it to liquid as they come in blocks when collected or so I believe


Dave

Actually we love the stuff, it does make it hard to pull the frames out hard to take the boxes apart but the bees use it to seal all of the gaps in the hives. Keeps them healthy.

It is hard to collect, gooey in the summer hard in the winter. It takes hours to scrape a tiny bit. They do make traps if you are going to try and collect. It is a plastic cover full of gaps, you put in the hive, the hives instinct is to close the gaps. You then pull it and chill so it cracks off, then repeat..................

Dave dissolve it in alcohol.

 

[HARO]

Dave dissolve it in alcohol.

...and all your koi will become alcoholics!!
John

 

[bagsmom]

One thought more on the carpenter bee/wood borer vs. bumble bees. Around here, the carpenter bees have bumblebee coloration, but are more shiny-looking and plastic-y, if that makes sense. Our bumblebees look fluffy! Like they would be soft and furry to pet -- if you were brave enough!