Harvesting honey is one of beekeeping's greatest rewards. Here's how to know when your honey is ready, how to remove it from the hive, and how to extract that liquid gold.
When to Harvest
Timing
- First year: Often no harvest—bees need stores
- Spring honey: Light, floral (late June in most areas)
- Summer honey: Darker, stronger (August-September)
- Leave enough: Bees need 60-90 lbs for winter
Signs Honey is Ready
- Frames are 80%+ capped (wax covering cells)
- Honey doesn't drip when frame is shaken
- Nectar flow has ended
🍯 The Shake Test
Hold an uncapped frame horizontally and give it a firm shake. If honey drips out, it's not ready—water content is too high and it will ferment.
Removing Honey Supers
Methods to Clear Bees
- Bee escape boards: Place under super 24-48 hours before harvest
- Fume boards: Natural repellent drives bees down quickly
- Brush and shake: Manual removal, more time-consuming
- Leaf blower: Fast but can upset bees
Harvesting Tips
- Work on a warm, calm day
- Harvest midday when foragers are out
- Have your extraction space ready beforehand
- Cover removed supers to prevent robbing
- Work quickly—honey attracts bees!
Extraction Methods
Method 1: Centrifugal Extractor
- Uncap cells with hot knife or uncapping fork
- Place frames in extractor basket
- Spin to fling honey out
- Strain through filters
- Return empty frames to hive (bees refill!)
Best for: Multiple hives, reusing comb, larger quantities
Method 2: Crush and Strain
- Cut comb from frames
- Crush comb in bucket
- Strain through mesh bags
- Let gravity do the work (24-48 hours)
Best for: Small quantities, top bar hives, no equipment needed
Method 3: Cut Comb
Simply cut comb into sections and sell/store as comb honey. No extraction needed! Commands premium prices at markets.
Extraction Equipment
- Uncapping knife: Removes wax cappings
- Uncapping fork: For missed spots
- Extractor: Manual or electric spinner
- Strainers: 400 and 600 micron
- Buckets with gates: For bottling
- Jars: Glass for best quality
Post-Harvest
Let Honey Settle
- Air bubbles rise over 24-48 hours
- Skim foam before bottling
- Keep in warm room for easy flow
Return Equipment to Bees
Place wet frames and equipment near hives in evening. Bees will clean every drop! Retrieve in the morning.
Storage
- Honey never spoils if properly stored
- Keep in airtight containers
- Room temperature is fine
- Crystallization is natural—warm gently to reliquefy
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