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Bees forming the comb
honey
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There are so many different kinds of hives
a. Natural
Hives- these are good for one- time use, very hard to harvest quality honey
from. Usually, smoke is used to kill the bees.
i. Logs, baskets, clay, raffia
b. Frame
hives- these are modern hives, there are two main versions parts specific
measurements are needed to have this be successful. In addition, there are more
parts to this hive, which make it more expensive.
iii. Kenyan
top bar hives (KIBH): some Canadian scientists developed these in Kenya in the
1970s. Easy to build, easy to mange, they produce lots of honey and wax! There
is only one
dimension that needs to be specific: otherwise. The shape can vary.
Materials are easy to find and are inexpensive.
2. Plans
for Kenyan top bar hive.
a. You
will need for one beehive:
i. One
12x12”x1” plank of softwood panned so that it is
ii. One
12’x4” board of hardwood cut into thirds.
iii. Something
for a lid
. Here is how you should divide up the
plank.
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Bees forming the comb
honey
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Honey
Harvest
Honey harvest time is the reward for all of your work
and organization through the seasons. Depending on the flow of nectar in your area,
you may find it necessary to harvest small amounts frequently or perhaps do
fewer, larger harvest.
1. You can harvest either comb honey or
liquid honey
a. Collect your tools
b. Open the hive
c. Blow some smoke over the bars
d. Remove a few of the bars and set aside
e. Blow some smoke into the hive
f. Remove
clean, light colored honeycomb and cut it from the top bar- leave a little comb
on the bar and return this bar to the hive.
g. Place
lid on your bucket, and it home.
2. The
collection steps are the same except for the liquid honey, you will need to
strain it.
a. Follow
the same steps as above. However, you will need to build a strainer to remove
the wax from the honey. You will need, at least 3 buckets, a net bag, a piece
of timber measuring 1”x”x24”, a piece of timber 2”x4”4’.
i. Bore
holes into the bottom and along the top of one of the buckets and place the
2”x”4” piece of timber in the bottom of this bucket make a large hole in the
top of one of the lids arranged the net bag into the top of the bucket with the
holds
ii. Mash
the harvested honey with the piece of timber to break up everything.
iii. Place
the lid with the hole on top of the bucket that has no holes, place the straining
bucket on top of this other bucket.
iv. Pour
the mashed honey & wax into the net bag and seal with the good lid
vi. Leave
it to strain for 2 days, this is almost no work at all, and it works!
vii. Now you
are ready to bottle and sell your honey!