Interactive lesson

Honey, wax and propolis, step by step

Interactive lesson: when honey is ripe, how much to leave the bees, a clearer board with no smoke, the way to the honey room, wax, propolis, pollen and storing frames.

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The whole lesson as text

1. When honey is ripe

Bees process nectar until no more than 18–20 % water is left, then seal the cell with a wax capping.

Two-thirds capped — Take only frames on which at least two-thirds of the cells are sealed with wax.
Shake test — Hold the frame flat over the open hive and give it a sharp jerk. If nectar drips from the open cells, the honey isn’t ripe.
Refractometer — If you have one: up to 18 % water is excellent, and 20 % is the legal limit for honey in the UK and EU (in the US, USDA grade A allows up to 18.6 %).
Not after rain — Don’t take honey right after rain or while a strong flow is on. Wait 2–3 days for the bees to process the nectar.

Why: Unripe honey ferments: it froths, turns sour and smells of yeast. It can’t be sold or kept for long. Better to leave the frames with the bees for another week.

The outside frames are capped last.
“Drying” honey at home is difficult and not for a beginner.

2. How much to leave the bees

Honey isn’t a surplus: it is the bees’ winter food.

The supers are yours — You take honey only from the supers, above the queen excluder. The brood box stays with the bees, full of honey and pollen.
The brood box stays full — The brood box always keeps at least 2–3 frames of honey and pollen next to the brood.
Winter stores — After the last harvest the colony must reach 15–20 kg (33–44 lb) of winter stores, on its own or with feeding.
Honeydew isn’t for winter — Dark honeydew honey from lime aphids, oak and conifers gives bees dysentery. Take that honey and leave the bees flower honey, or top up with syrup.

Why: The rule is simple: the supers are yours, the brood box belongs to the bees. If it was a bad year, take nothing.

Oilseed rape and ivy honey set hard in the comb; they are poor winter food for bees too.
Never give bees bought honey (American foulbrood).