Extracting Honey

July 10, 2024

By Leilani Pulsifer

In some regions of British Columbia, honey extraction can begin as early as mid-July. Once combs are two-thirds capped, supers can be removed, and the honey extraction can begin. For hobbyists or small-scale apiaries, harvesting honey can be very rewarding, however it may not be feasible to invest in a honey extractor. If that’s you, consider collaborating with other small-scale apiaries to rent an extractor for the season. Alternatively, below are two common options for harvesting honey without an extractor. For large-scale apiaries, it’s far more efficient and cost effective (not to mention less sticky) to invest in a honey extractor.

Whether you have one hive or hundreds, an important first step is to set up an extracting area. Consider extracting honey in an area away from your apiary, perhaps in a garage or a tented area with a fan nearby to aid in airflow and ventilation. Set up bowls of warm water and cloths to keep tools and hands clean as the day goes by. Doing these simple steps prevents robbing behaviour and keeps bees and wasps from swarming your extraction area.

Extracting honey without an extractor

Method 1: Crush & Strain

Most effective for beekeepers with only a few hives, this method simply requires you to scrape the comb into a bucket, crush it with a tool (or your hands if you don’t mind the mess) to remove the honey, and strain it overnight through a sieve into a receptacle. Periodically mix the honey and comb to speed up the draining process. 

Tip: Strain the honey and comb mixture in a warm room to encourage the flow of honey.  

Method 2: Cutting Comb

For those of you that enjoy eating the wax alongside the honey (yes, you can eat beeswax) this method might be for you. Keep in mind that this method only works on frames that do not have foundation or have a foundation specifically made for this honey extraction process. For this method, carefully use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the comb into your desired shape, trying to keep as many cells intact as possible. Alternatively, you can purchase honeycomb frames or cassettes that you place inside the hive (no foundation necessary) and the bees naturally make the honeycomb into premade sections. Move your cut section into an airtight container and freeze for 1-2 nights to kill off potential pests. 

Tip #1: Use a container of hot water to place your knife in between cutting. It will clean and warm up the knife simultaneously, making it easier to cut through the comb.

Tip #2: Avoid stacking your comb while storing it to prevent the bottom comb from being crushed.