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  1. #1
    Senior Member Bridget's Avatar
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    I've a super of honey but not really capped enough. Heather is about to start so I'd like to get it off before then so I will have some drawn foundation for next year. Weather not great for the next few days which may delay the Heather a bit. My question is, if it's wet and they can't do much foraging, will the bees occupy themselves capping it off.


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  2. #2
    Administrator gavin's Avatar
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    I'll be extracting some today which is not capped then taking the colonies to the heather. There is no issue if they haven't been bringing in fresh nectar in the last couple of days, it will be dry enough. Just make sure that you don't store it in a humid place before extracting.

    G.
    Last edited by gavin; 29-07-2017 at 03:51 PM. Reason: uncapped/not capped

  3. #3
    Senior Member Bridget's Avatar
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    That's really useful. Thanks Gavin


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  4. #4

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    honey refractometer used to be dear but cheap nowadays
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...+refractometer

  5. #5

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    That's interesting. Several on offer there. Do you have experience of a good one? Once extracted and in a honey bucket how do you reduce the water content? I have a warm cupboard and a dehumidifier. If I covered the settling tank with muslin to keep out the dust and put it and the dehumidifier into the cupboard would that do the job?
    No end to the toys a beekeeper needs


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  6. #6

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    I bought mine long ago so I dont know if they still make it
    The one with 20 reviews on amazon looks OK
    You do want to look for automatic temperature compensation and a %scale
    I'm sure they will all be better than guessing

    If the honey might crystalise then its even more likely to ferment when stored
    Below 17% water is the recommended safe maximum

    http://www.bee-craft.com/water-content-of-honey/
    Have a look at the beecraft page for some more info

    Capped honey is always OK so no checks needed
    Heather honey is apparently safe at 20% where the bees cap it (23%max for sale)

    It would be safest to check suspect combs before extracting because some with high water might as well go back to feed the bees
    Last edited by The Drone Ranger; 01-08-2017 at 11:50 AM.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Bridget's Avatar
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    The extracted honey is very pale. Not like any I have had from my bees before and I rarely get honey before the heather. I thought at first there was syrup in it, but although I had to feed the bees in June we took the supers off. Perhaps when we put the super back on they moved the syrup up. Anyway we will check with a refractometer this week


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  8. #8
    Senior Member Bridget's Avatar
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    So got a refractometer and checked. 17% water so am happy with that as there wasn't much of it and will soon be gone. But so pale?
    Could it be clover? It's only blossom from the past 4 weeks.


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  9. #9

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    Clover could be right. How about willowherb? Have you noted any of that distinct pollen going in?

  10. #10
    Senior Member Bridget's Avatar
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    What colour is the williwherb pollen


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