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Our Process

          The methods of honey harvesting differ among individuals. What is effective for one person, may not yield the same results for another. We often receive inquiries regarding our honey harvesting techniques. Here is the process that we have found to be successful.

Bee Hives

1. Opening a Hive

  • ​​We utilize wood chips & pine needles in a smoker to interrupt the bees communication process.

    • This allows ​us to work more freely amongst the bees

    • Smoke is used to direct the bees away from us

  • Wear a white beekeeper suite to aide in keeping the bees calm

  • When the hive is opened, there will be propolis. Similar to glue, this helps hold and seal the hive

    • Propolis has the properties similar to tree and plant resin

  • This is scrapped off the top for easier access to the frames

  • Propolis can be harvested and used for medicinal properties, however we  prefer to leave it for the bees 

Hive
Hive
Super

2. Taking out the Frames

  • Tools can be utilized in taking out frames

  • The frames may be difficult to pull out, due to the propolis from the bees

  • Each frame has a 3/8 inches gap. This is the ideal space for bees to pass through

  • Bees can be brushed off of frames, or transferred to another super within the hive body. 

  • We prefer to extract supers with frames that are 80% full with caps

  • Once bees have been removed from a super, it's time to prepare the frames for honey removal

Frame
Frame
Frame

3. Preparing Frames for Extraction

  • With the bees brushed off, the supers are taken to the "honey shed"​

  • Each Frame is taken out of the super, and inspected for caps

  • The water content is tested 2-3 times randomly for each super

    • Water content is preferably around 17%, but under 20% overall​

  • The caps are now removed

    • Many different tools can be utilized to take the caps off of the comb

  • Taking the caps off, allows the honey to flow out of the comb

    • Bees build their combs at a 1-2 degree angle to contain the honey within the combs​​

  • The caps from the comb are called "Beekeeper's Gold" or cappings wax​

    • This wax can be filtered, and rendered down for hive use

    • We use this to re-wax plastic foundations in the frames

Water Content
Frame
Frame

4. Honey Extraction

  • The caps are removed, & the water content has been tested. It's now time to extract the honey from the frames

  • Frames are placed in the honey extractor

  • This machine spins the frames starting at 50 RPMS, and gradually increases to 200/250 RPMS

  • The spinning action releases the honey from the comb, and drips to the inside walls of the extractor

  • From here, the honey drips out of the spout, onto a strainer, and into the bucket for easier bottling

  • Our process only includes 1 straining step, where just the wax & foreign matter are removed

  • Our process also does not include heat

    • Heat will kill the health benefits of the honey​​

  • At this point, honey is stored in buckets & bottled as needed

Extraction
Extraction
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