Yellow beeswax foundation sheets are among the most popular choices for beekeepers when it comes to building their hives. This naturally made foundation material is preferred to the plastic foundation sheet due to several reasons, such as the following:
1. Better acceptance by bees
One of the significant advantages of using yellow beeswax foundation sheets is that bees readily accept them, as they resemble a natural comb. Bees use wax to store their honey, eggs, and royal jelly, and when presented with a beeswax foundation sheet, they are more likely to build their comb right on top of it than plastic foundation sheets. Furthermore, the scent of beeswax is more appealing to bees than the scent of plastic.
2. Exposure to fewer harmful chemicals
Unlike plastic foundation sheets, yellow beeswax sheets are made from natural wax harvested directly from the beehive. This means that they are free of harmful chemicals that may pose a threat to the bees' health and wellbeing. Moreover, plastic foundation sheets are often treated with chemicals that impart a particular scent to the sheet, and some bees may find it unpleasant, leading to a lower acceptance rate.
3. Fosters the bees' natural behavior
Beekeeping is all about maximizing the bees' natural behavior. With yellow beeswax foundation sheets, beekeepers can encourage the bees to exhibit their natural behaviors throughout their colony's life cycle. Beeswax is a medium that allows for enhanced communication and food storage, which ultimately contributes to a healthier and more vibrant bee colony. The natural fragrance and texture of the beeswax foundation sheet also encourage bees to build new comb when necessary, minimizing disruptions to the hive's natural growth and development.
4. Superior wax production
Certain wax-producing worker bees must secrete wax from eight wax glands located on their abdomen's underside. These wax scales are used to build honeycombs that serve as the foundation of the hive. When beekeepers use beeswax foundation sheets instead of plastic foundation sheets, the bees are more likely to utilize the entire comb space, resulting in increased honey and wax production. Because bees spend less energy building the comb's foundation, they can use more energy to collect nectar and produce more beeswax, increasing the hive's overall productivity.
5. Environmentally friendly
Yellow beeswax foundation sheets are environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable compared to plastic foundation sheets. There is no waste generated from the use of beeswax foundation sheets since they are entirely biodegradable. Additionally, beeswax foundation sheets can be recycled and reused, making them more sustainable over time.
So, beekeepers prefer yellow beeswax foundation plates because they mimic the natural behavior of bees, expose them to fewer harmful chemicals, encourage the production of natural wax, and are environmentally friendly. Overall, using beeswax foundation is a healthier, more sustainable, and ethical way to keep bees that promotes bee well-being, productivity, and overall health.







