In this episode, we walk through practical honey extraction methods for beekeepers of all levels. If you're new to harvesting or just looking to improve your setup, this episode covers when and how to take honey, how to test moisture content, what to avoid during treatment windows, and how to extract honey with or without expensive equipment. We’ll also go over tips for drying uncapped honey, clearing bees from supers, and managing sticky cleanup after the fact.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why you shouldn’t harvest honey in your first year
• How to know when your honey is ready (capped vs uncapped)
• Using a refractometer to measure moisture content
• Tips for drying uncapped honey frames before extraction
• Why your treatment history matters before harvesting
• How to clear bees using escape boards, one-way exits, or shaking
• Overview of manual vs electric extractors
• Crush and strain method explained
• Final tips for safe, efficient honey harvests

More Info:

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Read our articles: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the Discord: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeeping

About the Podcast:

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.

In this episode, we cover a few important topics to help you avoid major headaches in your beekeeping journey.

• Why the presence of a queen cell doesn't mean “do a split”
• How to avoid disaster when buying used gear (AFB risks)
• Best practices for moving bees out of swarm traps
• When it's safe to relocate, and how long to wait
• What to ask when picking up a nuc or package
• Why queen age, mite treatment, and egg-laying status matter
• Regional timing differences for splits and trapping

🌐 Website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

📘 Articles & reviews: bestbeekeepinggear.com

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 Join the community: discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

☕ Value in the episode? Buy Me a Coffee

Thinking of doing a walkaway split? Before you divide that colony, hit play. In this episode, we break down why timing is everything — especially as the summer dearth sets in. Inspired by a real listener question, we walk through what a walkaway split is, how it works, and why it might be one of the riskiest moves you can make during a seasonal lull. Learn why your queen might not emerge (or mate), what happens to your workforce while you wait, and why “just because” splits usually backfire.

• What exactly is a walkaway split, and how is it different from other types?
• Why splits are easier (and safer) in the spring
• How long it really takes to go from queenless to new bees
• Why feeding and robbing become serious concerns
• 4 key reasons not to split your colony right now
• How to test drone availability without risking an entire hive
• Why “my mentor said it was a good idea” is not always a green light
• Tips for getting honest, timely advice from experienced beekeepers

🌐 Visit the website: beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 Also visit: bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

☕ Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

🫶 Learn more about the nonprofit: thehealinghiveproject.org

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.