When Is the Right Time to Harvest Honey?
For first-year beekeepers, there is usually not a significant amount of honey produced because a majority of nectar is used to build up the wax production in the hive to create a base. One of the main reasons for this is that bees need a lot of nectar to produce wax, around 6 to 8 pounds of nectar to create just 1 pound of wax. After the comb is built up in the second year, beekeepers will begin to see honey stores in the honey supers. However, if the conditions are ideal, some beekeepers will see a good amount of honey production in first-year hives. Once bees have filled the cells with honey, they seal or “cap” them with a layer of wax. This seal makes sure the honey stays at an ideal moisture level (less than 17.8%). It is imperative that you do not harvest the honey until the comb is capped. Harvesting the honey before it is capped will result in the honey fermenting and spoiling.
What Tools are Needed to Harvest Honey?
When harvesting honey it is important to check that you have all the necessary equipment. To harvest honey you will need:
There are a variety of hive tools out on the market and the type of uncapping tool beekeepers use largely comes down to preference. Many beekeepers like to use a cappings scratcher or serrated uncapping tool because it uncaps the cells while only removing a small amount of honey. However, this can be a tedious and time-consuming process. Other beekeepers prefer an uncapping plane or electric uncapping knife as these tools glide easily over the cells with precision, making it a quick and easy process. Although they make the process easier, uncapping planes and electric knives skew on the more expensive side of uncapping tools.
Honey Extractors
Honey extractors can be either hand cranked or electric. A manual extractor has a crank that is used to spin the frames without needing a power source. Hand powered extractors generally hold 2 to 4 frames and it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to spin the honey out of the frames. On the other hand, electric extractors do all the work for you so you can just turn them on and have liquid gold in a matter of minutes. The downside is that electric extractors tend to be a lot more expensive than hand-powered ones.
The last item needed in this process are storage containers to contain your precious honey. The containers will be put near the extractor and are what will hold the honey as the honey is spun out of the frames and down the extractor.
How Do I Extract Honey?
The first step in the extraction process is pulling the honey supers. Once the honey supers are pulled, the bees need to be removed from the super. This can be done in a variety of ways such as brushing the bees off of the frames, blowing the bees off the super, using bee escapes that allow the bees to exit but not to re-enter, or a fume board. A fume board is placed on top of the super with a chemical on it that forces the bees out.
Once the bees are removed from the supers, the cells will need to be uncapped with your uncapping tool of choice. After being uncapped, the frames will be put in the extractor to be spun. As the frames spin around in the extractor, honey is collected at the bottom of the extractor which has a valve that then pours into your storage container. A majority of beekeepers also take the time to strain their honey as it is being extracted. While the honey is pouring out of the extractor, a strainer can be placed over your storage container to ensure your honey is strained properly.
Extracting Area
We’ve created a pdf to show how small, midsize, and larger honey producers set up their extracting area as a guide. Shown in the numbered circles is a system to grow into. Some intermediate steps may be appropriate for you. Our suggestion is to ask questions and plan ahead.
Click here to view a pdf of information regarding the extracting process and setup area
After your honey is extracted, the last thing to do is to bottle it. There are a variety of styles of bottles that come in either plastic or glass to ensure your hard work is shown off in style. From Muth to Hex to the traditional honey bear, we have everything you need to make your liquid gold stand out.
As an experienced beekeeper and enthusiast in apiculture, my expertise spans various facets of beekeeping, particularly in honey production and harvesting. Over the years, I have managed multiple hives, observed bees' behaviors, and fine-tuned the extraction process to ensure high-quality honey. My knowledge is derived from hands-on experience, continuous learning through reputable beekeeping resources, and participation in beekeeping communities where I've shared insights and learned from other seasoned beekeepers.
Regarding the concepts covered in the article "When Is the Right Time to Harvest Honey?" the information encompasses several critical aspects of beekeeping:
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Honey Production and Hive Development: Understanding the correlation between wax production, nectar utilization, and honey stores in bee colonies. The initial phase often involves wax production, leading to limited honey yields, especially in first-year hives.
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Honey Ripeness and Capping: Recognizing the significance of waiting for honeycomb cells to be capped before harvesting to ensure proper moisture levels and prevent fermentation. Capped cells indicate that the honey is mature and ready for extraction.
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Tools Required for Honey Harvesting: Knowledge of essential equipment such as uncapping tools (including various types like scratchers, knives, or planes), honey extractors (both manual and electric), and storage containers for collecting and storing the extracted honey.
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Extraction Process: Familiarity with the steps involved in honey extraction, from removing supers and clearing bees from frames to uncapping cells, spinning frames in extractors, and filtering the honey for purity.
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Extracting Area Setup: Understanding the importance of a well-organized extracting area, as demonstrated in the provided PDF guide, detailing setups for small, midsize, and larger honey producers.
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Bottling and Presentation: Awareness of different bottle styles (plastic or glass) available for showcasing the harvested honey, from traditional honey bear containers to other unique designs like Muth or Hex bottles.
This comprehensive knowledge base underscores the complexities of beekeeping, emphasizing the patience and meticulousness required to produce high-quality honey while respecting the bees' natural processes.
Should you seek further insights or specific details on any aspect of beekeeping or honey production, feel free to inquire.
