We all know that bees collect nectar and
pollen, but did you also know that bees collect plant resin to use as a
disinfectant, glue and varnish inside the hive?
This substance, called ‘Propolis’, is collected by the bees from sticky
buds and tree wounds. The bees bring it
back to the hive in the same way that they
carry pollen, in the ‘pollen baskets’ on their back legs. The only difference is that it is so sticky
that they cannot unload themselves and instead, another bee has to nibble the
propolis off.
