Harvest Honey from a Top-Bar Hive

Reader Contribution by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen and Days Ferry Organics
Published on November 13, 2015
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In traditional Langstroth beehives, the honey is extracted via a centrifuge that spins the golden liquid out of the comb and allows it to run into your pot. In a top-bar hive, honey collection is quite different, as is the rest of the top-bar hive beekeeping process.

As the bees build their home in a top-bar hive, they will start with brood comb first and then begin to make honey. When you are ready to harvest, the bars that you want to take will be towards the left of the hive, where all of the newest build should be. From regular inspections, you should have a good idea of what is available.

Do not take uncapped honey as it is not yet ready for harvest. Moving in from the uncapped combs you should find capped honey combs before you hit the hive’s brood area. Remember not to take too much of their winter supply and if your bees don’t have enough honey, be prepared to feed the hive with sugar water during the flowerless months.

It is easy to extract the comb from the hive. Simply cut along the edge of the bar. Bees will linger on the comb, simply brush them off or wait for them to dissipate. Once you’ve collected enough bars, it will be time to process your honey.

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