Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: rayb on July 02, 2007, 08:13:06 AM

Title: Extracting question
Post by: rayb on July 02, 2007, 08:13:06 AM
Some of of medium supers are close to being fully filled and capped over but some are maybe 3/4 capped. Must the frames be 100 % capped before extracting or is "ALMOST" all capped OK, too?

Thanks, Ray
Title: Re: Extracting question
Post by: KONASDAD on July 02, 2007, 08:24:31 AM
Its still early so wait a week or so. If its not capped, it has too much water content and will spoil more quickly. If you intend to consume immediately it wont matter. I'll only extract if theres less than 5% uncapped on one frame or at most two frames. Seasons just getting rolling.
Title: Re: Extracting question
Post by: JP on July 02, 2007, 09:58:10 AM
I agree with Konasdad, I would wait for them to finish drawing and capping, unless you have a refractometer, which would tell you your moisture content, the safe and cheaper bet is to wait for the bees to draw and finish.

Now, if you just can't wait to harvest, pull the frames that are completely drawn and capped, and harvest them. Replace the empty spaces with undrawn frames, and put the ones you harvest back on and this will give them a jump start on more honey to be drawn.
Title: Re: Extracting question
Post by: Mici on July 02, 2007, 10:52:25 AM
some say that 1/3 capped comb is enough, others say that if you hold it flat and shake it, if honey doesn't fall out it's enough.
Title: Re: Extracting question
Post by: rayb on July 03, 2007, 12:08:07 AM
Thanks, I'll be patient a little while longer. Ray