Bee Honey Extraction

When you begin your beekeeping project to produce bee honey ,you should prepare some important tools that will help you to perform your work professionally . 


A bee honey extractor is one of these tools that you will need in beekeeping project , it is basically a modified centrifuge which is designed to extract honey from the frames without damaging the honey comb.


The extractor includes a container that holds a basket of frames in it, which spins throwing the honey out of the frames by the centrifugal force.
 
You will find honey extractors with different capacities  depending on the number of frames in there containers :

- Small capacity extractor : contains two –frames at least , it is used manually or by electric power .

These extractors are suitable for the hobbyist and the beginners in beekeeping.

- Large commercial extractor : is able to contain more than hundred frames .

There are also two types of extractors depending on how the frames are placed in the container :
1-Tangential extractor :

The honey comb is placed with one side of the frame facing outwards.

2-Radial extractor :

The honey comb is placed with the top bar facing outwards .

By using the radial type you do not need to turn over the frames to extract the other side ,  since all the quantity of honey went outwards already and could be directly tapped or pumped out , so this type is preferred than the tangential type for its reducing the time and effort of extraction work .

Honey extraction must be performed in a special hygienic room ,with an adequate temperature to allow a smooth honey flow .

This room contains all the tools and equipments required and must be sealed securely to prevent other insects and bees .



The extraction process :



The initial step is preparing the frames by breaking and removing all the wax caps covering it .

These caps are made by bees to keep and store the honey that placed into the honey combs .

The uncapping task can be done with the help of an automated uncapper or manually using a knife that is heated prior to cutting of the caps.

The uncapping process results in removed small pieces of wax which are actually rich in honey which needs to be drained by the means of a little heating.

After the uncapping process all frames will be placed in the container of the honey extractor.

The frames must be placed properly to the right direction.


You should place the comb a little upward to avoid the honey flowing out and then let it spin.

The honey that comes out from the extractor still contains small pieces of wax hence you need to filter it through a strainer to obtain the clear honey.

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How to Acquire Honey Bees For Sale ?

If you love beekeeping hobby and want to start out as a beekeeper, the first task that must be completed is to obtain the hives and equipment that you will need to harvest bees , then you can begin the process of acquiring bees.

There are four options you can choose from them when you are going to get honey bees for sale :

1- Colonies :

This option may be the quickest and the easiest for the beginners in beekeeping .

You will start beekeeping with complete working hives containing all the bees that you will need to get started.
 
This includes a queen bee, worker bees, and drones as well as framing.

Colonies are available for purchase from local beekeepers or from other suppliers that you may found online.

2- Package of bees :

This option is suitable for more experienced beekeepers .

You will purchase this package of bees from local beekeeper in your area .
 
This option is more difficult than starting with colonies because these packages include a queen bee and a certain amount of worker bees.
 
In this case, the worker bees would have to be feed until they can begin producing honey on their own.

3- Nucleus :
 
Another option is to purchase a nucleus. However, with a nucleus, you only get a queen bee and a few worker bees.
 
This will give you a good start, but things will progress very slowly and harder at first. For the novice beekeeper.

4- Swarm of bees :

The last and most difficult option is that capturing a swarm of bees.

For beginning beekeepers, this option is discouraged.
 
It requires that you understand how swarming occurs and that you knows how to protect yourself from a swarm of bees.

These are the most options available to get bees for your beekeeping business or hobby. You can find honey bees for sale or choose to collect your own swarm of bees.

Before going on in your beekeeping business, you need to be informed on all the methods and strategies to successfully raise your honey bees.

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Carniolan Bees 0r Western Honey Bees –what are the best for raising ?

When you start growing your own honey bees in the city for producing honey and pollinating your trees and flowers , There are many Reasons to Raise Carniolan Bees Instead of Italian (Western) Honey Bees . 

Carniolans, or Carnies, a subspecies ( Apis mellifera carnica).
-Raising Carniolan Bees is preferred to avoid pollination problems occure with the vanishing honey bees.

-These bees Can be kept in urban areas because they are very calm and non aggressive in its behavior toward beekeepers and other people.

-They are very strong in defending them selves against insect pests .
-More resistant to brood diseases, Varroa mites and other diseases that are devastating the honey bees.

-They have the ability to adjust worker population to nectar availability rapidly.

-The queen can adjust brood production according to the change of quantities of nectar , When nectar production is high the queen will produce large numbers of worker bees and vise versa.

-Carniolans are more home bodies with a better sense of direction then the Italian honey bee .

-They stay in small groups lover the winter season


.In the other side Carniolans have some disadvantages regarding this comparison :


-There production of wax is less than Italian honey bees .

-They do not like hot weather .

-They do not like large groups and will C if their numbers increase too much .

These bees are being raised on roof tops and back yards in many countries all over the world .

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How To Identify Beehive Pests &Parasites Early ?

There are various pests that can affect your hives from functioning optimally so in this article I'm going to touch base on a few. 


1-Varroa Mites :


Is an external parasitic mite that attacks honey bees. The disease caused by the mites is called varroatosis.


The adult mite is reddish-brown in color; has a flat, button shape; is 1–1.8 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide; and has eight legs.


This parasite is common in new colonies. delayed treatment of these parasites gives them the ability to build up resistance to any form of treatment that's applied in the future.


If an infected colony is not treated it will be wiped out within three years .


Varroa Mites has reached epidemic levels all over the world .


2- Wax Moth :

Although they are not making too much trouble for the honey bees but if during the destruction of the moth larvae the combs spill, they can contaminate stored honey and possibly kill bee larvae.

Most developed hives didn't need treatment to control wax moths as the bees are able to kill & clean out the dead moth larvae and webs.

3- Tracheal Mite :

Is a small parasitic mite that infests the airways of the honey bee causing the bees to be exhausted most of the time .

The most obvious signs of this are an increased number in crawling bees outside the hive .

4- Hive Beetle :

They are small dark beetles that live in beehives, they can take over the colony and drive out the bees.

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Propolis - Health Benefits

Propolis is one of bee products and is used as natural antibiotic in the application of home remedies. 


Honey bees produce propolis by collecting sticky resins that ooze from the buds of some trees and plants. After chewing them and mixing them with their saliva and other substances, propolis is formed.


Some trees and conifers produce these sticky resins as part of their immune system defending themselves against diseases .


Propolis is used inside the hive for sterilizing the hive against diseases and infections by inhibiting the spread of bacteria, virus, and fungi .


Propolis is also known as 'bee glue',as it is used as a "putty" to seal cracks and openings in the hive and to strengthen and repair honeycombs .


Propolis contains approximately 50-70% resins, 30% wax, 10% etheric oils and 5% pollen. It has a high vitamin content (Vitamin A (carotene), Vitamin B1, B2, B3, biotin) and is extremely rich in bioflavonoids (Vitamin P) which are believed to have numerous immune building properties and health benefits.

Bioflavonoids are the natural pigments in fruits and vegetables and are found in abundance in oranges. This bee glue contains almost 500 times more bioflavonoids than is found in oranges!

It also contains an array of albumin, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

It is especially rich in amino acids, important for immune system function.

Because of its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, Propolis has been used as :

-Ointments for healing cuts and wounds

-A natural alternative to penicillin and other antibiotics .

- Rinses for washing, gargling or irrigating the sinuses .

- A healthy alternative to synthetic brands of toothpastes as it is especially useful in mouth and gum disorders and prevents tooth decay, enhances oral hygiene, heals bleeding gums, and prevents gums receding.

Propolis extract now  comes in the form of sprays and candies. The spray claims that it is effective against flu, cuts, burns, gum and mouth infections, throat discomforts and intestinal discomfort, while the candy is sold as a good therapeutic substitute to the traditional throat lozenges and an aid to curing flu, colds, throat discomfort, cough and bad breath .

Side effects :

Propolis is generally non-toxic, though allergic reactions such as skin rashes, swelling, redness, eczema or fever have been reported.

Contra indications :

Women should not use Propolis during pregnancy and breast-feeding unless directed to do so by a physician.  

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The Bee Honey - The Health Facts!

Bee honey is probably the best natural product, the bees produce honey from the nectar that collected from the flowers

The bees ingest the nectar and deposit it in their stomach, then return to the colony to surrender it.

Bee honey is easily digested and readily assimilated by humans, comprising a healthy source of energy.

Bee honey consumed as food is important for the balance of the biological process of the organism. It contains glucose and fructose, which goes directly into the blood.

Bee honey is used by people suffering from diabetes as a natural sweetener and as safety source of energy .

Bee honey helps in the control of rheumatism and arthritis, prevents many types of respiratory disorders, and aids the digestion. Bee honey may also be used on the skin as a constituent for some shampoos. It is used extensively in the cosmetic industry as well (cleaning facemasks, creams, tonics, etc.) because of its astringent and emollient qualities.

Eating honey stimulates and increases physical resistance and immunity against many common diseases.

Bee honey is somewhat sedative so it is used to help insomniacs in sleeping naturally without the use of drugs.

Honey is less fattening than sugar, and is one of the the best sources of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins so it is a preferred choice for athletes.

Honey has been found to be very effective in preventing, controlling, or even curing the following health problems :

-Respiratory diseases : as an expectorant, combatting coughs .

-Digestive and intestinal disturbances : for its anti-septic, digestive and laxative properties helping in the treatment of gastritis and stomach ulcers .

-Urinary irritation .

- Skin burns and injuries .

- Throat irritation .

- Irritation of the eyes .

- Illnesses of the liver .

- Physical fatigue, cramps and rheumatic pains .

-Insomnia .

- Dental caries .

Finally I encourage all people to learn beekeeping to produce this natural product that is very useful for health and vitality .

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