Effective harvesting from a Warré hive is dictated by the colony's natural downward movement and seasonal preparation. Unlike conventional hives, you generally do not harvest during the colony's first season; instead, you harvest surplus honey from the top box in the fall, specifically around September.
Core Takeaway: Sustainability is the priority. A Warré hive requires 2-3 full boxes of honey stores to successfully survive the winter. You should only harvest the top box if the bottom two boxes contain sufficient reserves for the colony.
Determining the Right Time to Harvest
The First Season Rule
Patience is critical when establishing a new Warré hive. You should generally avoid harvesting any honey during the first year.
The colony needs this time to build comb and establish the reserves required to survive its first winter.
Seasonal Timing for Established Hives
For hives in their second year or beyond, the harvesting window is typically in the fall, around September.
This timing aligns with the end of the nectar flow and allows you to accurately assess the colony's winter stores before removing any surplus.
Assessing Winter Reserves
Before removing any honey, you must verify the hive's total weight and volume.
The colony requires at least two, and preferably three, boxes full of honey to overwinter safely. Only harvest the top box if the boxes beneath it are heavy and well-stocked.
The Harvesting Process
Using the Bee Escape Method
To clear bees from the honey box with minimal stress, install a "bee escape" board between the top honey box and the brood boxes below.
Over 24-48 hours, bees will exit the top box through the one-way valve to join the cluster below but cannot return. This leaves the top box virtually free of bees for a clean harvest.
The Manual Evacuation Method
If you do not use a bee escape, the best time to harvest is at dusk to minimize robbing behavior from other colonies.
Apply one or two puffs of smoke at the entrance, wait a minute, and remove the top box. You can place the box on its side 5 to 10 feet away to allow the bees to evacuate naturally, or remove combs individually and brush the bees off.
Handling the Harvested Box
Be prepared for significant weight; a full Warré box can weigh between 40 and 50 pounds.
Once removed, the combs should be processed immediately in a bee-proof area. Because Warré hives typically use top bars, the standard extraction method is "crush and strain," separating the liquid honey from the wax wax manually.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Comb Destruction
Unlike framed hives where comb is spun and returned, harvesting a Warré hive usually requires cutting the comb out.
This means the bees must rebuild that wax next season. While this consumes more bee energy, it ensures the colony cycles out old wax, which can reduce disease load.
Heavy Lifting
The Warré system involves lifting full boxes of honey from the top while the hive stack is at its highest.
This can be physically demanding compared to hives where you manipulate individual frames. Ensure you have proper lifting mechanics or assistance when removing a 50lb box from head-height.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
## Ensuring Colony Survival
- If your primary focus is Colony Health: Skip the harvest entirely if there is any doubt about the quantity of stores in the bottom two boxes; winter starvation is a greater risk than skipped production.
- If your primary focus is Honey Production: Focus on aggressive spring management by adding empty boxes to the bottom (nadiring) to encourage upward honey storage for a maximizing fall yield.
Harvest only the surplus, and your colony will reward you with stability and resilience.
Summary Table:
| Harvesting Aspect | Guidelines & Requirements |
|---|---|
| First Season | No harvest; allow colony to build reserves and comb |
| Timing | Early Fall (September) after nectar flow |
| Winter Reserves | Minimum 2-3 full boxes must remain for the colony |
| Extraction Method | Crush and strain (top-bar system) |
| Harvest Weight | Approx. 40-50 lbs per full box |
| Bee Removal | Bee escape board (24-48 hrs) or manual evacuation at dusk |
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