Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and are there any new eggs being laid? If you see any potential problems, check with your local
mentor for tips on how to remedy the situation.
Learning to recognize and find the queen is important for a beekeeper. You'll want to see her or see signs
that she's been laying recently. The queen in this photo is almost dead center with a much longer torso than
her daughters. This enables her to reach the center of the cells to lay her eggs.
(Photo courtesy of Emma Jane Hogbin)
Toward the end of January and beginning of February, you want your queen to be laying eggs so
your new workers will be ready a month later to gather the nectar during flow. This means you
may need to feed the 1:1 syrup again now to stimulate your bees into waking up for the year. This
three-week jump on the coming spring season can make a big difference in honey production come
March!
The Honey Harvest
The fun part! That sweet, sugary goodness that is the result of thousands of work hours on the part
of your bees is such an amazing miracle. Sometimes the abundance can be overwhelming when
you hit a good year with a well-established hive and suddenly have 100 pounds of honey in your
kitchen.
Tools for Honey Extraction
Most beekeepers end up investing in a honey extractor. These machines come in all manner of set-
ups, but most work the same basic way. You place the frames full of honey inside and the machine
spins using centrifugal force to release the honey out of the combs. Note that the frames have to be
