How honey is pumped: when it is collected in the apiary, how many times per season and rules

Extraction of honey is a complex and painstaking process. At the same time, the beekeeper takes the frames filled with honey from the hives and pumps them in the honey extractor. At first, the procedure may seem simple and affordable. However, in reality, it is a very laborious process. How exactly is honey pumped? To do everything right, you need to take into account many nuances.

When honey is pumped?

Pumping honey in central Russia depends on the weather. The sooner spring plants begin to bloom, the sooner you can get the desired results. Most often, honey collection occurs at the end of June, but sometimes the dates are shifted to mid-July.In the south, the May variety is often harvested. During the first pumping, it is possible to obtain relatively little bee product. In this case, the last collection will be more abundant.

The second time honey is harvested during the flowering period of linden. Usually this is done no later than the end of August or in September. At the same time, it is important not to miss the deadlines, because in autumn the bees begin preparing for winter.

In Bashkiria, the collection of honey often begins in the first half of July, when the flowering of the best honey plants ends. This process continues throughout the summer, remaining active even at the end of the season.

How can I tell if a product is ready?

Sealed frames are considered the main indicator of the maturity of a bee product. In this case, at least a third of the cells must be closed. Such a product has the best properties and does not deteriorate.

Bees seal honeycombs with wax after excess moisture comes out of honey. Such a product can be stored for a long period of time. This applies to lime, buckwheat and any other varieties of honey.

With a weak bribe in summer, insects do not seal the frames. Honey can also be pumped out of them, but first you need to evaluate its maturity. It is important that the product does not leak out when the structure is turned to a horizontal position. In this case, it is enough to gently shake the frame or lightly tap it with your hand.

Inventory

To pump out honey in the apiary, different tools are used - it depends on the method of work used. It is important that the inventory used is convenient and practical. It is best to use modern tools that allow you to get the product as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Most often, the following equipment is used for pumping:

• Table for printing honeycombs and opening frames. It can be metal or wood. The design is equipped with a hinged lid, under which processed cassettes and cuts are placed.
• Knife or special fork. These tools are used to print frames.
• Tent for pumping honey. It is a portable tent, the walls of which are sheathed with a dense mesh. The design helps to protect against bees. At the same time, the process of pumping honey will become convenient and safe. In addition, an impenetrable tent can protect the beekeeper from rain.
• Honey extractor. This structure is a mechanical device for pumping sweet nectar.
• Filter. It is a sieve that is fixed under the tap. This element helps to clean the mass that flows from the tap from excess impurities.
• Capacity for storing the finished product. It is used after pumping and filtering the nectar.
• Container for damaged frames.

How is it done?

The pumping process includes a number of successive stages, each of which has certain characteristics.

Preparatory stage

Regardless of the type of honey that is planned to be pumped, it is important to carry out a number of preparatory activities. This applies to the collection of linden, buckwheat, sunflower and any other species.

First, it is recommended to prepare the equipment. At this stage, it is worth washing and drying the honey extractors, containers for printed frames and containers for infusion. You also need to sharpen and sterilize knives. Be sure to lubricate all the elements of the main mechanism. In addition, it is important to clean the combs from insects. This is done with a brush or blower.

In the heat, the bees behave more aggressively and protect the fruits of their labor.

In this case, you will need to use a solution of phenol. This tool is considered absolutely safe for bees. At the same time, it has a sharp aroma and makes insects leave their houses for a while.

If the structure of the hive includes 2 hulls, honey sampling should start from the bottom. In multi-hull structures, it is recommended to use a frame. A material soaked in carboxylic acid is pulled over it. This helps to remove the bees. In this case, removers are considered ideal. They need to be installed in the hives in the evening. However, such devices are only allowed to be used in the absence of brood.

To make the bees fall into the hive, it is recommended to shake the frames. Remaining insects can be removed with a brush. To do this, it is pre-moistened in water. When removing frames, you need to start with the second. The fact is that it is forbidden to touch structures near the walls.

After removing all frames, the hive needs to be covered.

After that, it is recommended to cut off the upper part of the frames. This is best done with a heated knife. After freeing the combs from the bees, they can be transported to the place of pumping.

Pumping process

Many people are interested in the temperature at which honey should be pumped. It is recommended to do this in warm or hot weather. If the conditions do not match, the frames are heated. It's worth doing as a couple.

After all the bees are removed from the frames, they need to be put into the honey extractor. In this case, the open part must be directed outward. To avoid overweight and intense vibrations, the structures are placed symmetrically.

Then you need to start turning the knobs or connect the drive to the network. Under the influence of centrifugal force, honey is first sprayed, and then flows down. It is recommended to open the tap only when the bee nectar has completely drained.

After pumping out the frames on one side, they need to be pulled out and cut off again. However, this is done from the opposite side. Then the structures are again inserted into the honey extractor. Only the correct installation of the framework allows you to properly pump honey.

The finished product must be drained. In this case, it must be passed through a sieve. To assess the readiness of the product, you should pay attention to the mound that forms its jet.

Final stage

Honey is pumped out until it stops flowing. After this, it is recommended to install the frames back into the hive, and leave the beekeeping product to infuse for 2 days. At this stage, it is required to periodically remove foam from the surface of the mass.

After settling, honey should be poured into a glass, wooden or enameled container. If a more liquid substance rises to the surface of the substance, it must be removed immediately. Otherwise, the product will deteriorate.

Pumping out without using a honey extractor

If it is not possible to buy a honey extractor, you should use the pressing method. However, in this case there is a risk of damage to the frames, which is considered the main disadvantage of the method. If honey is squeezed out manually, the designs can be saved. But in this case, the process will be lengthy.

Pumping out honey is considered a difficult process. For the procedure to be successful, it is important to take into account many nuances and features. Be sure to properly carry out preparatory activities and insist on the finished product.

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