Wax Dipping Bee Equipment

What is Wax Dipping?
It is the placement of various beehive components, or parts, in hot molten wax. The term ‘dip’ means a brief immersion into a liquid. However, when apiarists dip their hive parts in molten hot wax, it is usually for periods of up to 15 minutes. The molten wax consists of 80 – 90% Paraffin (144°) and 10 – 20% Microcrystalline. Microcrystalline has a higher melting point (180°) which prevents wax from melting off boxes on a hot summer day.
The key to successful hot wax dipping is to have the molten wax as hot as possible but not exceeding the safety limits. Wax should be heated to 225° - 250° Fahrenheit. It is also essential that the wood being dipped is well heated throughout to ensure maximum penetration of the wax into the timber. The process should not be hurried by dipping for only a short period of time. Dipping should be between 10 – 15 min. If you don’t heat your timber to the same temperature as the wax you won’t dry it out.
 
The Benefits of Wax Dipping
Some benefits of hot wax dipping are:
  • The moisture, sap and air in the timber are replaced by molten wax.
  • Wax penetrates the joints, repaired sections and other surfaces of the box where paint can’t reach.
  • Wax covers all surfaces (inside & out).
  • Components can be used within 15 minutes of being dipped.

When a beehive is painted, it is covered with a protective film.  The paint protects only the outside of the hive from the effects decay.  Also, if you have a cracked or broken paint film this will allow entry of moisture into the wood.  Wooden hive parts and paint suffer considerable damage that results from:

  • The use of hive tools to separate boxes
  • Transporting hives
  • Fastening of hives with metal straps
  • Dumping boxes on the ground to dislodge bees.

Physical damage of this type to wooden hive parts will rupture the paint and provide opportunities for water to enter the timber and become a catalyst for decay. 

A timber preservative for beehives must have good water repellency and no adverse effect on bees. Hot wax dipping using paraffin and microcrystalline waxes has both of these qualities. 

Robinson and French (1984) indicated that some apiarists found that hot wax dipped treatments lasted in excess of 15 years before retreatment of the material became necessary. Some beekeepers have indicated that well-treated boxes will last for more than 20 years before further treatment is required. 

If you would like your new wooden hive components hot wax dipped please contact Mark Fujita – 610-401-8318 for information on next dipping or follow us on Facebook for up to date dipping events. https://www.facebook.com/funnyfarmapiaries

New clean, dry, unpainted woodenware, nothing plastic.

Bottom board -- $3.00+tax.
Deep -- $5.00+tax.
Escape Boards -- $2.50+tax.
Feeding Trays/Shims -- $2.75+tax
Entrance Reducer -- $1.00+tax.
Inner cover -- $2.50+tax.
Medium -- $4.00+tax.
NUC Box -- $3.00+tax.
NUC BB -- $2.50+tax.
NUC Cover -- $2.50+tax.
NUC (Plywood) -- $5.00+tax.
Slatted Racks -- $2.50+tax.
Top Cover -- $3.00+tax.
Wooden Stands -- $5.00+tax.
Wax Dipped Boxes for sale;
Deep Assembled & Dipped - $30.00 +tax.
Medium Assembled & Dipped - $28.50 +tax.