Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => PHOTO PAGE - MEMBER PHOTOS & BEE-MOVIES HERE! => Topic started by: beegrlAK on July 18, 2009, 05:56:23 pm

Title: honey frame - should I pull now?
Post by: beegrlAK on July 18, 2009, 05:56:23 pm

I have a medium super full of these, how soon until I pull?
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/sophiephoto06/IMG_2509.jpg)

Title: Re: honey frame - should I pull now?
Post by: homer on July 18, 2009, 11:52:53 pm

If you've got another super I'd put it on top and let them continue.  I wouldn't extract till the frame is fully capped off.  The bees will cap the honey when it is properly cured... i.e. the water content in the honey is just right.  If you have too much uncapped stuff in what you extract you run the risk of that excess water causing fermentation problems.

Title: Re: honey frame - should I pull now?
Post by: JP on July 19, 2009, 12:19:24 am

That frame is perhaps a few days out from being completely capped, but the moisture content is most likely acceptable to harvest frames such as this now. When frames are 80% capped or more they are usually ready for harvest.

Do the shake test, the moisture content is acceptable when nothing shakes out.


...JP

Title: Re: honey frame - should I pull now?
Post by: applebwoi on July 19, 2009, 03:04:15 am

I'd harvest now, especially if you intend to give some away and it won't be sitting around for a long time.