Beekeeping Basics for Harvesting Honey

Honey Harvesting Tips

1. Timing is Everything: Harvest honey in late summer or early fall, once the bees have capped the combs with a wax seal. This means the honey is ready and moisture content is low enough for long-term storage.

2. Gear Up: Suit up in your bee suit and gloves. A smoker calms the bees, making the process smoother. Think of it as sending them to a spa day while you do the heavy lifting.

3. Frame Removal: Gently remove the frames from the hive. Use a bee brush to softly sweep away any lingering bees. Place the frames in a bee-free zone to avoid having curious bees follow you home.

4. Extraction: Use a honey extractor (a centrifugal force machine) to spin the honey out of the combs. No extractor? No problem! Crush and strain the combs through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to separate the honey.

Beeswax Harvesting Hacks

1. Comb Scraps: Save the comb scraps from your honey extraction. These bits and pieces are your golden ticket to beeswax.

2. Melting: Melt the comb scraps in a double boiler. Never use direct heat, as beeswax is flammable. Safety first, always!

3. Filtering: Pour the melted wax through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to filter out impurities. Repeat if necessary for pure, clean beeswax.

4. Mold It: Pour the filtered wax into molds and let it cool. Voila! You’ve got beeswax ready for candles, balms, and all sorts of off-grid goodies.

5. Leave some for the bees: In areas with mild winters, bees might need a bit less, but in colder climates, leaving more honey is advisable. You can also leave some pollen stores to ensure they have enough protein for brood rearing in the early spring.

Harvesting honey and beeswax is a sweet reward for your hard work. Plus, nothing beats the taste of home-harvested honey or the satisfaction of crafting with your own beeswax. Happy beekeeping!