Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• When the bees have cleared the super, remove the frames to be harvested or the
whole super. Leave frames with un-ripe honey. (Ripe honey is covered with wax
cappings.)
• Put full frames in the container and cover between adding another frame. Don't start
a robbing melee!
Harvest Equipment You'll Need
• Fume board and repellent. Pick a warm, sunny day if at all possible. Make sure
your repellent container is open and unsealed before you need it.
• Smoker, hive tool, protective gear, extra frames, and varroa treatments, if us-
ing.
• Bee-tight container to put frames in—a plastic container large enough to hold
as many frames as you'll need (up to eight) with a tight, sealable lid.
• If removing an entire box, a bee-tight bottom and cover—two covers work if
you have them, but two pieces of plywood or heavy-duty plastic sheeting will
also work.
• If the supers are too heavy or too far to carry, you'll need a cart.
• Replace frames removed with empty frames. Don't leave an empty spot, even for a
few days.
• Put frames with foundation only on the edges, moving frames with comb to the
middle.
• If removing a whole super, place it on the board or plastic and cover it immediately.
• Apply varroa treatment, if planned.
• Close up the colony.
• Move the honey and gear inside, and pat yourself on the back.
A good place to store a few frames is in the freezer if you aren't going to deal with
them immediately. Otherwise, get them to the place they will be handled as soon as pos-
sible.
If you are disposing of surplus honey (uncommon, but don't count it out) double-bag
it, so it won't be robbed and put a lid on the trashcan. All manner of animals will be
interested if you aren't. A better solution is to simply give it to another beekeeper to
extract. He or she will either keep or share the honey. Either way, the task is resolved.
 
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