Worker honeybees aged 6-12 days are the primary beeswax generators in a beehive, they are the only bees with the specialized glands needed to produce it. There are 8 pairs of these glands on their abdomen that convert nectar into tiny wax “scales” (see image below). Bees then use their legs to grab the scales and move them to their mandibles to be chewed and mixed with saliva so the wax is soft enough to use as building material inside their hive.
Inside the hive, beeswax is sometimes used alongside propolis to seal cracks and help with insulation, but is largely used to build beautiful wax combs. Often referred to as “honeycombs”, these wax structures are built hanging down from frames in a beehive (or from the inside wall of a tree trunk in the wild) and may hold developing brood, pollen, or nectar, far more than just honey. Their connected hexagonal cell design is incredibly efficient, providing strength with maximum storage capacity, all while using the least amount of wax possible.
Being sure they use the smallest amount of wax is quite important, too, because it takes a lot of energy for bees to make beeswax. Bees consume stored honey or nectar to convert to wax, and it takes a whopping 6-8 pounds to create merely ONE pound of beeswax! Because of this, most beeswax is built during peak nectar flows in the spring and summer months.
In addition to considering the amazing way that beeswax is created (and the energy it takes for our bees to do so), it’s worth reflecting on the many ways it can be used by us. It’s a complex substance, with over 250 compounds that aid in its stability and impermeability to water. Because of these qualities, it’s used in a wide variety of applications from things like food preparation to crafts, and much more.
Read More
The Tangible Rewards of Beekeeping
An Introduction to Extracting Beeswax *
Making Money with Beekeeping *
A Deeper Look at Honeybee Anatomy *
* Colony Member-Only Content
