HiveMeadow
Mann Lake Propolis Trap
Full specification5 entries
Material
Food-grade flexible plastic
Compatibility
Standard 10-frame Langstroth hives
Dimensions
16.25 in x 19.75 in
Harvest Method
Freeze and flex
Reusability
Multiple seasons with proper care
Bee Products · ranked 88 of 99

Mann Lake Propolis Trap

Mann Lake · ★★★★☆ 4.2 / 5

The Mann Lake Propolis Trap is a straightforward, budget-friendly tool for beekeepers wanting to harvest propolis without disrupting hive operations.

  • Easy propolis harvesting
  • Fits standard 10-frame hives
  • Reusable season after season
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  • Scored from the specification and owner reports
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Who it fits
  • Simple to install under outer cover or on top of frames
  • Effective at stimulating propolis deposition in strong colonies
  • Affordable way to start collecting propolis for personal or resale use
  • !Slower colonies may take a full season to fill trap adequately
  • !Requires freezing before flexing to pop propolis loose, which some find tedious
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The verdict

The Mann Lake Propolis Trap is a straightforward, budget-friendly tool for beekeepers wanting to harvest propolis without disrupting hive operations. It works best on strong, established colonies and requires a little patience plus the freezer trick to get clean yields, but for the price it's a solid addition to any bee product lineup.

Bench scorecard

Derived from this product's specification, features and owner reports.

Build 70
Handling 89
Value 88
Lasts 89

Key features

  • Flexible plastic mesh screen designed to fit standard 10-frame hive top
  • Encourages bees to fill mesh gaps with propolis for easy harvesting
  • Lightweight, durable food-grade plastic construction
  • Fits between inner cover and top hive body without modification
  • Reusable across multiple seasons with simple freeze-and-flex harvesting method

Living with it

What works

  • Simple to install under outer cover or on top of frames
  • Effective at stimulating propolis deposition in strong colonies
  • Affordable way to start collecting propolis for personal or resale use
  • Easy to clean and reuse after harvest
  • Low profile doesn't interfere with hive stack height much

What to watch

  • Slower colonies may take a full season to fill trap adequately
  • Requires freezing before flexing to pop propolis loose, which some find tedious
  • Edges can warp slightly with repeated freeze-thaw cycles
  • Doesn't work well in weak or new colonies

The full review

The Mann Lake propolis trap is a purpose-built accessory designed to help beekeepers harvest one of the hive's most valuable byproducts with minimal disruption to colony activity. Constructed from a flexible, food-grade plastic mesh, the trap is placed directly on top of the brood chamber, beneath the inner cover, where bees naturally deposit propolis to seal gaps and reinforce structural integrity within the hive. The grid-like pattern of small openings mimics the kind of crevices bees instinctively want to seal, encouraging them to fill the trap with propolis as part of their normal hive-maintenance behavior. Because it fits neatly within standard Langstroth hive dimensions, the trap integrates easily into existing setups without requiring any modification to hive bodies or frames.

What makes this propolis trap particularly practical is the simplicity of its harvesting process. Once the bees have sufficiently coated the mesh with propolis, beekeepers can remove the trap and place it in a freezer for a short period. The cold temperature causes the resin to become brittle, allowing it to be easily flexed or scraped off the plastic without damaging the trap itself. This reusable design means a single trap can be used season after season, making it a cost-effective tool for beekeepers who want to consistently collect propolis rather than relying on scraping small amounts from hive tools and frames. The durable plastic construction resists warping and cracking even after repeated freezing and flexing cycles.

For beekeepers interested in propolis as a marketable product—whether for tinctures, salves, or raw sale to herbalists and health-conscious consumers—the Mann Lake propolis trap offers a straightforward way to increase yield without added stress to the colony. Since propolis collection through this method doesn't require opening the hive extensively or disturbing the brood nest, it aligns well with low-intervention beekeeping practices. The trap is lightweight, easy to store, and simple to clean between uses, making it a practical addition for both hobbyist beekeepers looking to explore propolis harvesting and commercial operations aiming to diversify their hive product offerings beyond honey and wax.

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