Over recent years, multi-colony urban beehives have significantly grown, thanks to the rising interest in local food production and the promotion of pollinators. If appropriately managed, these hives can offer a sustainable yield of honey, beeswax, and propolis. This article highlights practical and efficient harvesting tips that foster bee health and larger honey yields from multi-colony urban hives.
## Understanding Beekeeping Seasons
Professional beekeepers understand the role of seasons in managing their hives. Spring is the season of growth, where colonies proliferate in readiness for the summer harvest. Bees generate surplus honey during the summer, which is the opportune time for harvests. Autumn is the season to prepare for winter, whereas winter is the most dormant phase.
## Timing the Harvest Correctly
The timing of the honey harvest is pivotal. The best time to harvest honey from urban hives is in the late summer when bees have accumulated substantial honey reserves. Wait until the bees cap the honey cells, this means they have sufficiently dehydrated the nectar into honey and it’s ready to harvest. Attempting to harvest prematurely may lead to moisture-rich honey that ferments.
## Using Bee Escapes
In a multi-colony urban hive, employing bee escapes as a non-violent method to separate bees from honey is advisable. Bee escapes ensure the bees remain in the hive while you safely extract the honey. Place the bee escape between the brood chamber and honey super 24 hours before the harvest and the bees will migrate downwards, leaving the honey super virtually free of bees.
## Choosing the Right Tools
Having the right tools is important for a successful honey harvest. An uncapping knife or uncapping fork, honey extractor, and strainer are indispensable. The uncapping knife or fork removes beeswax cappings from the honey cells, the honey extractor uses centrifugal force to pull honey out of the frames, and the strainer filters the honey.
## Adopting Efficient Extraction Practices
After uncapping the cells using an uncapping knife or fork, invest in a quality honey extractor to separate the honey from the wax. There are different types of extractors (Manual and Electric) depending on how much honey you’re planning on harvesting. It is important to choose extractor size and type according to your specific requirements.
## Preserving the Honeycomb
Be vigilant not to damage the honeycomb structure during the harvest. Maintaining the integrity of the honeycombs ensures bees don’t waste energy and resources rebuilding their combs, which would otherwise go to honey production.
## Hygiene during Harvest
Hygiene is a key to maintaining hive health. Sterilize all the equipment before and after the harvest. Freezing your honey extraction tools for about 24 hours before use can help kill any potential wax moth eggs or larvae. It’s also important to do the extraction in a clean, bee-free environment to prevent contamination.
## Returning Wet Frames Back to Hives
After extraction, returning ‘wet’ frames empty of honey but still covered with traces of honey back to the hive can help. Bees will clean up these frames, recover any leftover honey, and start preparing the cells for the next batch of honey production.
## Harvesting Other Hive Products
Honey isn’t the only product one can harvest from a multi-colony urban hive. Beeswax, propolis, and pollen can also be harvested and each has its own unique harvest requirements and uses.
## Monitoring the Hives Regularly
Even after a successful harvest, monitor your hives regularly. Be attentive to signs of any disease or pest infestation, as these can drastically affect the health of your entire apiary. Correct and timely interventions are crucial for maintaining the productivity and wellbeing of your urban hives.
In conclusion, successful urban beekeeping requires effective management skills during the harvesting process. Proper handling of the harvest procedure can improve bee health, increase the yield, and ultimately lead to a more prosperous multi-colony urban hive. Adhering to the above tips ensures the ongoing success of your urban beekeeping endeavors.
