The honey harvesting process for a Warre hive operates on a unique vertical cycle defined by adding space to the bottom and removing stores from the top. Unlike standard hives where you super (add boxes) on top, a Warre hive requires you to add empty boxes underneath the brood nest in the spring and harvest the highest, honey-filled box in the fall.
Core Takeaway The Warre system mimics the natural behavior of a bee colony, which builds comb downward and consumes honey upward. By harvesting the top box in the autumn, you remove the oldest honeycomb that the bees have typically vacated, leaving the colony with fresh stores and established comb near the bottom for the coming winter.
The Mechanics of Vertical Harvesting
The Cycle of "Nadiring"
The fundamental principle of the Warre hive is adding empty boxes to the very bottom of the stack, a process often called "nadiring." This encourages the bees to continue building comb downward, which is their natural instinct.
The Fall Harvest
As the season progresses and winter approaches, the bee cluster naturally moves upward, consuming honey as they go. By autumn (typically September), the top box is usually full of capped honey and free of brood.
Seasonal Limitations
Harvesting is generally not recommended during a colony's first season. A Warre hive typically requires the resources of two to three full boxes to successfully survive the winter; you should only harvest if the lower boxes contain sufficient stores.
Executing the Harvest
Timing and Preparation
The harvest is best performed at dusk to minimize robbing behavior from other colonies. Begin by applying one or two puffs of smoke at the entrance and waiting a minute for the bees to react.
Clearing the Bees
Before removing the honey, you must clear the bees from the top box. One method involves placing a bee escape board between the top honey box and the boxes below; this allows bees to exit the top box but prevents them from returning.
Alternative Clearing Method
If you do not use a bee escape, you can remove the top box and place it on its side, roughly 5 to 10 feet away from the hive. This allows the bees inside the removed box to evacuate and fly back to the main hive entrance.
Handling the Boxes
Warre boxes are significant in weight, often ranging between 40 to 50 lbs when full. If the combs are removable (top bars or frames), they can be taken out individually and brushed off, but often the entire box is removed for processing indoors.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Heavy Lifting Required
Because the Warre method involves removing a full box of honey at once, it requires lifting 40-50 lbs. Unlike frame hives where you can remove one light frame at a time, the Warre harvest is physically demanding.
Extraction Complexity
Most Warre hives do not use standard frames compatible with centrifugal extractors. Consequently, you cannot simply spin the honey out; you must often cut the comb and use a crush-and-strain method, destroying the wax comb in the process.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure a successful harvest without compromising your colony's health, align your approach with your specific objectives.
- If your primary focus is Colony Survival: Prioritize leaving at least two full boxes of stores (honey and pollen) in the hive for overwintering, skipping the harvest entirely in the first year.
- If your primary focus is Ease of Harvest: Utilize a bee escape board 24-48 hours prior to harvest to passively clear the heavy top box of bees, avoiding the chaos of brushing them off manually.
Ultimately, the Warre harvest is less about maximizing yield and more about respecting the vertical flow of the colony's natural lifecycle.
Summary Table:
| Aspect | Warre Hive Harvesting Details |
|---|---|
| Core Method | Vertical cycle: Add space at the bottom (nadiring), harvest from the top. |
| Optimal Timing | Autumn (September), preferably at dusk; skip the first season. |
| Winter Stores | Minimum 2 full boxes of honey must remain for colony survival. |
| Lifting Weight | High (40-50 lbs per box) as entire boxes are typically removed. |
| Extraction | Crush-and-strain method (comb destruction) due to top-bar design. |
| Bee Clearing | Use a bee escape board or place removed box aside for evacuation. |
Scale Your Apiary Operations with HONESTBEE
Transitioning to specialized beekeeping like the Warre method requires high-quality, durable equipment. HONESTBEE is dedicated to supporting commercial apiaries and distributors with a comprehensive wholesale selection.
Whether you need specialized hive-making machinery, high-efficiency honey-filling machines, or a reliable supply of essential industry consumables, we provide the tools to streamline your production. Our portfolio also includes unique honey-themed cultural merchandise to help you stand out in the marketplace.
Ready to optimize your harvest? Contact us today to discuss our bulk pricing and equipment solutions tailored to your professional needs.
Related Products
- Electric Honey Press Machine for Squeezing Honey Comb Press Equipment
- Electric 8 Frame Honey Spinner Extractor Equipment for Beekeeping
- 32 Frame Commercial Electric Honey Extractor for Beekeeping and Honey Production
- 8-Frame Electric Self-Reversing Honey Extractor Spinner for Commercial Honey Extraction Equipment
- 6 Frame Manual Stainless Steel Honey Extractor Beekeeping Equipment
People Also Ask
- What are the various applications of a honey press in beekeeping? Maximize Your Harvest Yield
- What is the recommended temperature for using a honey press? Optimize Your Extraction Efficiency
- How should a new honey press be prepared before its first use? Essential Steps for Pure Honey Production
- Which types of beehive frames are suitable for use with a honey press? Top Bar and Foundationless Frames Explained
- What is the proper method for cleaning a honey press? Maintain Hygiene and Equipment Longevity
