What do bees seal honey cells with once the moisture content is suitable?

Bees seal honey cells with wax once the moisture content of the honey is at an appropriate level, which typically hovers around 17-18%. The wax is produced by the worker bees and is secreted from special glands on their abdomens. Once the honey has been sufficiently dehydrated, the bees cap the cells with thin layers of wax, ensuring that the honey remains sealed and preserved for future use. This process not only protects the honey from pests and microbial contamination but also helps to maintain the quality and nutritional value of the honey over time.

In contrast, plastic, glue, and resin are not used in this context by bees. Plastic is a human-made material and is not organic to bees and their natural processes. Glue might refer to natural substances that some insects use for bonding, but bees do not use it to seal honey cells. Resin is a substance produced by certain plants, and while bees collect propolis, a resin-like substance, for other hive construction purposes, it is not used to cap honey cells. Thus, the use of wax is a critical and distinct behavior of bees in honey storage.