Harvesting Honey: A Beginner's Guide - Reynwicks on Little Creek Farm

Harvesting honey is one of the most rewarding parts of beekeeping. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced beekeeper, knowing exactly when and how to harvest ensures both you and your bees benefit. In this guide, you’ll find the best time to harvest honey, the essential tools you’ll need, and a simple step-by-step process to follow—perfect for small-scale or backyard beekeepers like those at ReynWicks on Little Creek Farm.

🗓️ When to Harvest Honey

In North Carolina, honey harvesting season typically runs from late spring through summer. However, rather than going by the calendar alone, use these visual and behavioral cues:

Frames are 80–90% capped with white wax.
Bees are calm and non-defensive, indicating they have enough honey stores.

Always check for capped frames before extracting to avoid removing unripe (high-moisture) honey.

🛠️ Essential Supplies for Harvesting Honey

To safely and efficiently harvest honey, gather these beekeeping tools:

Bee suit with veil and gloves
Smoker
Hive tool
Bee brush or escape board
Uncapping knife or fork
Honey extractor (manual or electric)
Food-grade bucket with honey gate
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Glass jars or plastic bottles for storage

🐝 How to Harvest Honey – Step-by-Step

1. Lightly Smoke the Hive

Gently puff smoke at the hive entrance and under the inner cover. The smoke calms the bees, making them less defensive. Don’t overdo it—just enough to keep them relaxed.

2. Remove the Honey Supers

Use your hive tool to lift the super. Gently shake or brush off any bees from the frames, or use a bee escape board placed the night before for an easier experience.

3. Uncap the Honey Frames

Use a heated uncapping knife or fork to slice off the wax cappings. Collect these cappings in a pan—you can later melt them down for beeswax candles, lip balm, or salves.

4. Extract the Honey

Place the uncapped frames into a honey extractor. Spin the frames using manual force or an electric motor to sling the honey out using centrifugal motion.

5. Strain and Filter

Pour the extracted honey through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean food-grade bucket. This removes wax particles and debris.

6. Let the Honey Settle

Allow the honey to rest for 24–48 hours. This helps air bubbles rise to the top and allows remaining impurities to float, leaving you with beautifully clear honey.

7. Bottle and Label

Use the honey gate to fill your jars or bottles. Be sure to label them with:

The harvest date
Your name or farm name (e.g., ReynWicks on Little Creek Farm)
Whether it’s raw or filtered
Any information required by your state for selling honey

🐾 Final Tips for a Successful Harvest

Leave enough honey for your bees, especially if you’re harvesting in late summer. Bees need these stores to survive fall and winter.
Store honey in a sealed, clean container in a cool, dry place. Properly stored honey never spoils.
Clean all tools and surfaces immediately. Sticky equipment can quickly attract ants and other pests.

Ready to Harvest?

With the right timing, tools, and method, your honey harvest can be a sweet success. Follow these steps, care for your bees, and enjoy the golden reward of your hard work—pure, raw honey straight from the hive.