How is honey harvested from top-bar hives? A Simple, Sustainable Approach

Harvesting honey from top-bar hives is a straightforward process that emphasizes minimal equipment and preservation of natural comb structures. Unlike traditional framed hives, top-bar hives allow beekeepers to harvest honey by cutting comb directly from the bars, followed by methods like crush-and-strain or cut-comb packaging. This approach yields honey with higher pollen content and significant beeswax but avoids comb recycling, reducing overall honey production. The fragility of top-bar combs makes rotary extraction challenging, though possible. The process is accessible to small-scale beekeepers, requiring only basic tools like knives, jars, and strainers.

Key Points Explained:

1. Comb Removal from Top Bars

   • The first step involves identifying combs with ripe honey (typically those that are fully or three-quarters capped).
   • Using a simple tool like a kitchen knife, the comb is carefully cut away from the top bars. This preserves the bees' natural comb-building behavior without reusable frames.

2. Harvesting Methods

   • Crush-and-Strain Technique:
     • The cut comb is placed in a jar and crushed (e.g., with a spoon) to release honey.
     • A cheesecloth or mesh screen is secured over the jar opening, and the honey is strained into another container by inverting the jar. This method retains pollen and yields raw, unfiltered honey.
   • Cut Comb Honey:
     • Entire sections of comb can be packaged and sold as-is, appealing to consumers who prefer honeycomb.
   • Rotary Extraction (Less Common):
     • While possible, spinning combs in an extractor is difficult due to their fragility. Fixed-frame hives are better suited for this method.

3. Equipment Simplicity

   • No specialized tools (e.g., extractors) are needed. Basic household items suffice:
     • Knife for cutting comb
     • Jars for collection
     • Strainers or cheesecloth
     • Rubber bands to secure covers

4. Outcomes and Trade-offs

   • Pros:
     • Higher pollen content and beeswax yield due to minimal processing.
     • Low-cost, beginner-friendly process.
   • Cons:
     • Combs are not reused, requiring bees to rebuild them, which reduces honey production per season.
     • Delicate combs limit extraction options.

5. Post-Harvest Hive Management

   • After removal, bees must reconstruct new comb on the bare top bars, which demands energy and time. Beekeepers often leave some honey stores to support the colony during this period.

Have you considered how this method aligns with sustainable beekeeping practices? By avoiding synthetic foundation sheets and extractors, top-bar hive harvesting supports natural bee behavior—though it demands patience and respect for the colony’s labor.

Summary Table:

Interested in sustainable beekeeping? Contact HONESTBEE for top-bar hive supplies and expert advice!