Description
OPH Beekeeping now offers a wax dipping service. Wax dipping can help preserve your woodenware for up to 20 years and protects it from the elements.
What is wax dipping?
The process of wax dipping involves immersing the different components of a beehive in hot molten wax, which serves as a protective coating. Although typically associated with brief liquid immersion, the beehive parts require up to 15 minutes in the melted wax to ensure complete coverage. This duration allows for gradual heat absorption and evaporation of any moisture within the wood, thereby facilitating optimal penetration of the hot wax into its core.
Why wax dip your hive components?
- Reduces Chemical UsageThe mixture of paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax, known as beehive wax, is frequently used by beekeepers as it offers a natural alternative to chemical-based products. Paraffin wax originates from crude oil and is adaptable because of its colorless and odorless nature. Microcrystalline wax is another petroleum-derived substance that bonds effectively to the wooden hive while remaining flexible at the same time.
Opting for a combination of paraffin and microcrystalline wax to cover your bee house is an organic method that avoids chemicals in beekeeping. Despite the effectiveness of paint and stain in shielding the beehive from external conditions, they contain harsh chemicals posing a risk to the welfare of bees.
2. Enhances Safety
Applying wax to the wooden beehive not only conserves the wood but also assists in safeguarding bees from diseases. This is highly important given that numerous bee colonies are at risk of perishing. In addition, bees are more likely to accept a hive coated with wax than one that has been painted or stained.
Wax provides a sustainable and dependable approach to fortify your beehive with an additional protective layer. The coating can endure harsh weather conditions such as rain, sunshine, and snow thereby upholding the integrity of the underlying timber. By preserving the wood, an extra level of safety is added for bees by shielding them against harmful environmental factors that could result in rotting hives leaving them unprotected from extreme climatic changes.
3. Enhances Appearance
A beehive with a wax coating will look similar to a stained hive, with its beautiful, golden sheen. A wax coating will give the wood a subtle glow that makes for an extremely attractive beehive. As a bonus, the beeswax will have a slightly sweet, pleasant smell that both you and your bees will enjoy.
We can wax dip things like hive boxes, bottom boards, inner covers. We cannot wax dip things like top covers lids with metal tops, screened bottom boards. We provide wax dipping components for $3.00 a piece. These prices for the dipping service only from May to August.
Contact us for more info at 226-948-9027 or email ophbeekeepingsupplies.com.
WAX DIPPING IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2023 SEASON WE WILL BE BACK WAX DIPPING IN THE SPRING OF 2024 ONCE THE WEATHER WARMS UP ENOUGH. IT USES TOO MUCH PROPANE IN COLD WEATHER TO MAKE IT COST EFFECTIVE.
