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1.) bluecat - 08/03/2020
So typically honey harvest is around the last part of July and first part of August. This is my third year of beekeeping and my first time of being able to harvest surplus honey.
This is a frame of honey. When full like this they weigh 7 pounds a piece.
Was all set to show you the extraction process but...
Took a moisture reading with the refractometer and it showed unacceptable levels of moisture in the honey. Too much moisture will cause the honey to ferment in storage.
Making mead is on my list but I need to be able to control fermentation.
So I'm in the process of dehydrating the honey in the frames a bit so extraction can commence.
This is a frame of honey. When full like this they weigh 7 pounds a piece.
Was all set to show you the extraction process but...
Took a moisture reading with the refractometer and it showed unacceptable levels of moisture in the honey. Too much moisture will cause the honey to ferment in storage.
Making mead is on my list but I need to be able to control fermentation.
So I'm in the process of dehydrating the honey in the frames a bit so extraction can commence.
2.) DParker - 08/03/2020
Cool. I didn't remember that you were an apiarist. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
3.) Swamp Fox - 08/03/2020
Mead was my first thought, and then I read we're on the same page ... LOL
How do you dehydrate the honey? Leave it in a corner in the attic and hope the ants don't find it?
How do you dehydrate the honey? Leave it in a corner in the attic and hope the ants don't find it?
4.) bluecat - 08/03/2020
Right now I've got the boxes (named supers) stacked and staggered in my downstairs shower with a fan on top sucking air from bottom to top. Then a dehumidifer is running nearby in the closed space. The moisture content was 20%. I want to get it down to 18% and then I'll extract. I'll try to take a picture. Trying to dehydrate honey in a vat is almost impossible. It's better to leave it in the comb (more surface area) and do it that way. It's still not easy because the honey is surrounded in wax.
It's not only the ants that would find it. The uncles too.
It's not only the ants that would find it. The uncles too.
5.) bluecat - 08/03/2020
[QUOTE=DParker;61589]Cool. I didn't remember that you were an apiarist. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.[/QUOTE]
It's public record.
It's public record.
6.) DParker - 08/04/2020
Coincidentally, my melons, pumpkins and squash have become honey bee magnets (as well as being popular with some local native bee species that I'd never seen before). That's good to see, as bad as things have been going for so many hives the past decade or so.
7.) Swamp Fox - 08/04/2020
You know those murder hornets we heard about a couple of months ago? ...It's crickets now ... Not a word about 'em....
I think they saw what was going on here in this country and said, "Nah, it is a stupid place" and turned around and went back to China and Japan, notable hot-spots of sanity.
Nothing weird going on over there ---compared to here...
I think they saw what was going on here in this country and said, "Nah, it is a stupid place" and turned around and went back to China and Japan, notable hot-spots of sanity.
Nothing weird going on over there ---compared to here...
8.) Swamp Fox - 08/04/2020
The downstairs shower, huh? --- LOL --- :grin:
9.) Swamp Fox - 08/04/2020
So what's the deal with having to wait for "surplus" honey?
Also, are you sure you have enough jars shaped like honey bears to handle this year's harvest?
Should we save some from the Piggly Wiggly for you for next year?
Also, are you sure you have enough jars shaped like honey bears to handle this year's harvest?
Should we save some from the Piggly Wiggly for you for next year?
10.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61595]The downstairs shower, huh? --- LOL --- :grin:
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for that. Anyone want ALL my honey now?
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for that. Anyone want ALL my honey now?
11.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
So this is my most excellent setup for dehydrating honey in the frames.
12.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61596]So what's the deal with having to wait for "surplus" honey?
Also, are you sure you have enough jars shaped like honey bears to handle this year's harvest?
Should we save some from the Piggly Wiggly for you for next year?[/QUOTE]
Yes, save all your honey bears!
Bees make around 700 pounds of honey per hive per year. That is a lot, but you would never know that because that is their fuel for all of their activities (egg production, egg rearing, wax production, hive cleaning, foraging, removal of dead bees from hive, guarding the hive, etc.) Of the 700 pounds the beekeeper (if everything goes smoothly) can harvest about 10% of that or 70 pounds (one box of frames).
To get the bees through all of the winter requires a lot of honey which is paramount to have in the hive going in to fall when floral sources are drying up. There is just a certain time of the year when bees will draw wax. It's at these times they will put extra honey in a box that is designated for the beekeeper (called a super). The time that they do that is from (roughly) May through end of July. After this period, beekeeper will remove those surplus boxes and then treat bees for mites. Once treated, the supers are removed and no honey is harvested. The treatment can contaminate the surplus honey.
That is a brief synopsis.
Also, are you sure you have enough jars shaped like honey bears to handle this year's harvest?
Should we save some from the Piggly Wiggly for you for next year?[/QUOTE]
Yes, save all your honey bears!
Bees make around 700 pounds of honey per hive per year. That is a lot, but you would never know that because that is their fuel for all of their activities (egg production, egg rearing, wax production, hive cleaning, foraging, removal of dead bees from hive, guarding the hive, etc.) Of the 700 pounds the beekeeper (if everything goes smoothly) can harvest about 10% of that or 70 pounds (one box of frames).
To get the bees through all of the winter requires a lot of honey which is paramount to have in the hive going in to fall when floral sources are drying up. There is just a certain time of the year when bees will draw wax. It's at these times they will put extra honey in a box that is designated for the beekeeper (called a super). The time that they do that is from (roughly) May through end of July. After this period, beekeeper will remove those surplus boxes and then treat bees for mites. Once treated, the supers are removed and no honey is harvested. The treatment can contaminate the surplus honey.
That is a brief synopsis.
13.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=DParker;61593]Coincidentally, my melons, pumpkins and squash have become honey bee magnets (as well as being popular with some local native bee species that I'd never seen before). That's good to see, as bad as things have been going for so many hives the past decade or so.[/QUOTE]
Our agricultural practices are chiefly to blame - also the homeowner with the Chuck Norris approach to controlling "bugs" is devastating on bees. Homeowner sprays broad spectrum insecticides during times of peak activity for bees. Bees get it on them and bring it back to the hive - 25,000 dead bees.
Avoid Sevin. Spray in evening or early morning when bees are not active if spraying is necessary. Use bee safe practices - diatomacous earth, horticultural oil, neem oil etc.
Had a crop duster spray the soybean fields close to our house the other day. I was wondering whether my bees were out in those fields during that time. It's something you never think about. Now that I've got bees they are kind of like pets. Pets that sting me on occasion. Bad bee, bad bee.
Our agricultural practices are chiefly to blame - also the homeowner with the Chuck Norris approach to controlling "bugs" is devastating on bees. Homeowner sprays broad spectrum insecticides during times of peak activity for bees. Bees get it on them and bring it back to the hive - 25,000 dead bees.
Avoid Sevin. Spray in evening or early morning when bees are not active if spraying is necessary. Use bee safe practices - diatomacous earth, horticultural oil, neem oil etc.
Had a crop duster spray the soybean fields close to our house the other day. I was wondering whether my bees were out in those fields during that time. It's something you never think about. Now that I've got bees they are kind of like pets. Pets that sting me on occasion. Bad bee, bad bee.
14.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61594]You know those murder hornets we heard about a couple of months ago? ...It's crickets now ... Not a word about 'em....
I think they saw what was going on here in this country and said, "Nah, it is a stupid place" and turned around and went back to China and Japan, notable hot-spots of sanity.
Nothing weird going on over there ---compared to here...[/QUOTE]
They saw the "Black Flys Matter" T-Shirts and realized they just don't fit in.
I think they saw what was going on here in this country and said, "Nah, it is a stupid place" and turned around and went back to China and Japan, notable hot-spots of sanity.
Nothing weird going on over there ---compared to here...[/QUOTE]
They saw the "Black Flys Matter" T-Shirts and realized they just don't fit in.
15.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=DParker;61593]Coincidentally, my melons, pumpkins and squash have become honey bee magnets (as well as being popular with some local native bee species that I'd never seen before). That's good to see, as bad as things have been going for so many hives the past decade or so.[/QUOTE]
You said melons again.
You said melons again.
16.) DParker - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=bluecat;61600]Avoid Sevin. Spray in evening or early morning when bees are not active if spraying is necessary. Use bee safe practices - diatomacous earth, horticultural oil, neem oil etc.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, all I ever use is a little neem oil in spot applications as necessary, and some BT on the tips of the corn ears as the silks form (for corn ear worm), and the bases of my cucurbits (for squash vine borer). I'm actually trying to cultivate a healthy local bee population.
[QUOTE=bluecat;61600]Now that I've got bees they are kind of like pets. Pets that sting me on occasion. Bad bee, bad bee.[/QUOTE]
It must be difficult to roll up a newspaper tiny enough to swat them on the nose with.
[QUOTE=bluecat;61602]You said melons again.[/QUOTE]
I like melons.
Yeah, all I ever use is a little neem oil in spot applications as necessary, and some BT on the tips of the corn ears as the silks form (for corn ear worm), and the bases of my cucurbits (for squash vine borer). I'm actually trying to cultivate a healthy local bee population.
[QUOTE=bluecat;61600]Now that I've got bees they are kind of like pets. Pets that sting me on occasion. Bad bee, bad bee.[/QUOTE]
It must be difficult to roll up a newspaper tiny enough to swat them on the nose with.
[QUOTE=bluecat;61602]You said melons again.[/QUOTE]
I like melons.
17.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=DParker;61603]Yeah, all I ever use is a little neem oil in spot applications as necessary, and some BT on the tips of the corn ears as the silks form (for corn ear worm), and the bases of my cucurbits (for squash vine borer). I'm actually trying to cultivate a healthy local bee population.
[/QUOTE]:beer:
You're a gentleman and a scholar - and a whapper of other people's bottoms.
[/QUOTE]:beer:
You're a gentleman and a scholar - and a whapper of other people's bottoms.
18.) bluecat - 08/04/2020
[QUOTE=DParker;61603]
It must be difficult to roll up a newspaper tiny enough to swat them on the nose with.
[/QUOTE]
Have you ever tried to potty train 200,000 bees?
It must be difficult to roll up a newspaper tiny enough to swat them on the nose with.
[/QUOTE]
Have you ever tried to potty train 200,000 bees?
19.) DParker - 08/05/2020
[QUOTE=bluecat;61605]Have you ever tried to potty train 200,000 bees?[/QUOTE]
Just once...but it was the '70s, and I don't do that stuff anymore.
Just once...but it was the '70s, and I don't do that stuff anymore.
20.) Swamp Fox - 08/05/2020
[QUOTE=bluecat;61601]They saw the "Black Flys Matter" T-Shirts and realized they just don't fit in.[/QUOTE]
I award you +4, and assume that the crowd that is deficient in perspective, history, civics, philosophy, critical thinking and the American way is also deficient in spelling, common decency, and routine social skills ----and will never notice your typo, but just will be outraged as a matter of course ...
I award you +4, and assume that the crowd that is deficient in perspective, history, civics, philosophy, critical thinking and the American way is also deficient in spelling, common decency, and routine social skills ----and will never notice your typo, but just will be outraged as a matter of course ...
21.) bluecat - 08/05/2020
Oops, at least I have that going for me, which is nice.
22.) bluecat - 08/10/2020
This is a frame ready to be extracted. There are both capped and uncapped cells. The uncapped cells will need the caps removed so the honey can flow out. The knife is a hot knife and will easily slice off the cap. I'm trying to take this picture with one very sticky hand.
23.) bluecat - 08/10/2020
These are the frames loaded into the extractor.
24.) bluecat - 08/10/2020
Picture of frame after extraction. The cells remain and will be used again by the bees next year. It's more labor intensive to make wax than honey. By saving the combs you are increasing honey production.
25.) bluecat - 08/10/2020
That sticky stuff being filtered.
26.) bluecat - 08/10/2020
I was able to get the moisture down to a little under 18% so the dehumidifer trick worked beautifully.
27.) Swamp Fox - 08/11/2020
Sticky Fingers, eh? Let me know if this plays the whole album auto--magically or not...[I]Wild Horses[/I] might be blocked...
History is hard ...
I could have my work cut out for me ...
History is hard ...
I could have my work cut out for me ...
28.) Swamp Fox - 08/11/2020
Certain people's heads which may or may not still be with us are exploding right now ...
29.) Swamp Fox - 08/11/2020
Shit ... Didn't play several songs ...
Who do I call to sue?
Who do I call to sue?
30.) Swamp Fox - 08/12/2020
You people with your parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme ...
:tap:
:poke::p
:tap:
:poke::p
31.) bluecat - 08/12/2020
This thread is about sweet stuff, not savory stuff.
32.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2020
Hey, I DID play [I]Brown Sugar[/I] ... :p
33.) bluecat - 08/13/2020
+ 3 for the molasses soaked carbohydrate comment.
[I]I know you can't get enough of that sweet stuff...[/I]
[I]I know you can't get enough of that sweet stuff...[/I]
34.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2020
LOL ...
My friends gonna come around at twelve with some Puerto Rican girls that's just dyin' to meet me ....
****
So tell me what's going on with those racks ...
I think I see empty cells, golden cells (which I assume are filled with honey) and the white goop which I'm guessing is wax. Wax seals the honeycombs (group of cells) and then needs to be removed to open the cells?
My friends gonna come around at twelve with some Puerto Rican girls that's just dyin' to meet me ....
****
So tell me what's going on with those racks ...
I think I see empty cells, golden cells (which I assume are filled with honey) and the white goop which I'm guessing is wax. Wax seals the honeycombs (group of cells) and then needs to be removed to open the cells?
35.) bluecat - 08/13/2020
:beer:
36.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2020
LOL ...
Prolly the best video that was available ... LOL
+5-7
Prolly the best video that was available ... LOL
+5-7
37.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2020
.....
38.) Swamp Fox - 08/13/2020
You're welcome ....
:grin:
:grin:
39.) bluecat - 08/13/2020
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61663]LOL ...
Prolly the best video that was available ... LOL
+5-7[/QUOTE]
Hey, that video was awesome. Whatch you talkin' bout?
Prolly the best video that was available ... LOL
+5-7[/QUOTE]
Hey, that video was awesome. Whatch you talkin' bout?
40.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2020
LOL ...
Bubblegum pop?
Next we'll be playing disco on here ... [Quietly deletes ABBA and several other unmentionables from Friday Music Thread while everyone is distracted by picture of cowgirl with double ... cross-draws :shh:]
LOL ....:wink
">
Bubblegum pop?
Next we'll be playing disco on here ... [Quietly deletes ABBA and several other unmentionables from Friday Music Thread while everyone is distracted by picture of cowgirl with double ... cross-draws :shh:]
LOL ....:wink
41.) bluecat - 08/14/2020
[QUOTE=bluecat;61662]:beer:[/QUOTE]
That video was ...um...sweet!
-4
That video was ...um...sweet!
-4
42.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2020
....
43.) Swamp Fox - 08/14/2020
(if you goobers don't no Jimmie Rodgers---any of them--you should take up surfin' :wink)
44.) Swamp Fox - 08/15/2020
I can't believe we're going here, but I also can't believe no one (neither of you) has posted this yet (LOL):
:dig:
:shh::shh:
:tc:
LOL
:dig:
:shh::shh:
:tc:
LOL
45.) bluecat - 08/15/2020
+4, good one.
46.) Swamp Fox - 08/16/2020
It was a different time ... LOL ...
47.) Swamp Fox - 08/16/2020
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;61661]LOL ...
My friends gonna come around at twelve with some Puerto Rican girls that's just dyin' to meet me ....
****
So tell me what's going on with those racks ...
I think I see empty cells, golden cells (which I assume are filled with honey) and the white goop which I'm guessing is wax. Wax seals the honeycombs (group of cells) and then needs to be removed to open the cells?[/QUOTE]
Don't make me play more music on this thread, but if I have to keep wondering about this ^^^ , I will .... LOL
:beer:
My friends gonna come around at twelve with some Puerto Rican girls that's just dyin' to meet me ....
****
So tell me what's going on with those racks ...
I think I see empty cells, golden cells (which I assume are filled with honey) and the white goop which I'm guessing is wax. Wax seals the honeycombs (group of cells) and then needs to be removed to open the cells?[/QUOTE]
Don't make me play more music on this thread, but if I have to keep wondering about this ^^^ , I will .... LOL
:beer:
48.) bluecat - 08/16/2020
Sorry Swamp, I didn't see your question hidden among the Puerto Rican gals.
You are correct on all accounts. The cells are formed from wax. They backfill those cells with honey or pollen or the queen can also deposit an egg in there. Because of a device I have, the queen was not allowed in those particular frames so therefore only honey. Then the bees seal off the top with wax. So to get at the honey, the wax cappings need to come off.
You are correct on all accounts. The cells are formed from wax. They backfill those cells with honey or pollen or the queen can also deposit an egg in there. Because of a device I have, the queen was not allowed in those particular frames so therefore only honey. Then the bees seal off the top with wax. So to get at the honey, the wax cappings need to come off.
49.) Swamp Fox - 08/16/2020
LOL .. Thanks ...
[Warning for sensitive ears] ... LOL
Imagine trying to explain honey-making in this situation. LOL
[Warning for sensitive ears] ... LOL
Imagine trying to explain honey-making in this situation. LOL