This guide describes different methods of keeping bees and processing honey

Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation

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5 6How to Keep Bees and Process HoneyHoney harvesting For traditional and top-bar hives, harvest once or twice a year. For the Langstroth hive, harvest three or four times a year. Steps in harvesting honey:•  Wear protective clothing: overall, veils, gloves, boots•  Light smoker•  Gently open the hive•  Select combs that are two-thirds sealed full of honey•  Avoid combs with brood•  Lift comb, blow smoke on both sides and gently brush bees back into hive with a feather•  Cut away combs and honey, leaving about 1 cm of comb on the bar•  Place capped honey in a clean, dry container and cover•  Leave at least eight combs for the bees•  Before closing hive, push the unripe combs next to the combs with brood and place harvested bars behind these.Processing of honey•  Use a hot rod or knife to de-cap the honeycombs (by passing it over the combs).•  Place the de-capped comb on a piece of fine white linen tied over the top of a plastic container. The de-capped side should face downwards.•  Let the honey drip through the cloth until the cells are empty.•  Turn over the comb and repeat the above process.•  Pack honey in clean, dry jars with well-sealed lids. Label with date harvested and store in a cool place. Keeping recordsIt is important to keep records during each hive inspection in order to follow the progress of each colony and monitor its condition.  Hives should be inspected two to three-times a month. Entries may be made under the following headings: hive number, date hive occupied, date of inspection, observation, yield in kilogrammes.What can go wrongCause SolutionBees fly away Lack of food and waterDisturbance of hive e.g. by fire, people or animalsFrequent attacks by pestsEnsure sufficient food: plant flowering plants near hive Provide water during droughts Reduce size of colony Place hive at least 30 metres from roads and public places and fence site Treat bees gently  Keep hive area cleanBee sting Disturbance of hive Keep calm, remove the sting and smoke the stung area In case of severe reaction, report to nearest hospital or clinicPests (safari ants, wax moth, honey badger)Poor siting and maintenance of hivesHang hives between trees If poles are used, treat poles with used engine oil or grease to keep out termites and antsUse of insecticides or pesticides which poison beesUse of chemical sprays nearby Keep in touch with other farmers and know when they are spraying Request farmers to spray at night when bees are safely in hiveFires Bush burning Clear grass and bushes surrounding the apiaryFor more information:Market contactsNational Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO)P.O. Box 5318 Kampala-UgandaTel.: +256-41-343160, E-mail: tunadobee@yahoo.co.ukHoney Care Kenya LimitedP.O. Box 24487-00502, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel/Fax: +254-20-3874448/50 Email: info@honeycareafrica.com, Website: www.honeycareafrica.comAfrica Now Kenya LimitedP.O. Box 2514, Kisumu KenyaTel/Fax: +254-57-2021181 E-mail: kisumu@africanow.org, Website: www.africanow.orgTraining contactsBee Natural Products Uganda LtdP.O. Box 5318, Pan Africa House, Plot 3 Kimathi AvenueKampala, UgandaTel: +256-41-253844 or 234676; Fax: +256-41-259052Website: www.beenaturalproducts.comInternational Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 (20) 8632000; Fax: +254 (20) 8632001/8632002E-mail: icipe@icipe.org; Website: www.icipe.orgNational Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)P.O. Box 25235, Kampala, UgandaTel: +256-41-345440/345065/345066; Fax: +256-41-347843E-mail: naads@iwayafrica.com; Website: www.naads.or.ugSasakawa Global 2000 (MoA)P.O. Box 62347, Addis Ababa EthiopiaTel: +251-115-518040; Fax: +251-115-512984E-mail: moa@telecom.net.etThe ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) P.O. Box 380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands,  Tel: +31(0)317-467100, Fax: +31(0)317-460067, E-mail: cta@cta.int, Website: www.cta.intCTA is financed by the European Union© CTA 2007 - ISSN 1873-8192The information in this guide can be freely reproduced for non-commercial use, if credited as coming from CTA. Reproduction for commercial use requires prior authorization from CTACTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 131 getting ready 2 harvesting process3 harvested honey in comb 4 packed honey ready for market. • Beewax is used in cosmetics, candles and polishes• Beekeeping has low start-up costs and occupies negligible land space• About 80% of honey consists of sugars that are readily absorbed by the body and honey is thus quite suitable for children, sick people and those who perform heavy manual tasks.Choosing the right hive The table below lists the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of hive.Type of  hive Advantages Disadvantages Local woven beehive Cheap and easy to establish Made from locally available materialsMore propolis is produced than in other types of  hiveThe colony cannot be inspected It is difficult to prevent swarming or replace a queenQuality cannot be controlled because the combs with brood cannot be separated from the honeycombsHoney yields are low (approximately 6 to 10 kg per year) Life span of the hive is up to 2 years  Type of  hive Advantages Disadvantages Top-bar hive Can be made with locally available and inexpensive materials Easy inspection and control of swarmingQuality of honey can be monitoredYields are 20 to 40 kg per year Life span is about 10 yearsMore wax is produced since the combs have to be cut from the frame during harvestingMore expensive than local hivesDifficult for small-scale farmers to acquire minimum economic number (about 10 hives)Predators and other insects can easily access them because they are hung low Langstroth hive Combs with brood (young bees) can be easily separated from combs with honeyYields range between 50 and 60 kg per yearQuality of honey can be monitoredCostly to build or buyRequires a special extractor to remove the honey from the combsNeeds more advanced beekeeping skills1 3 4How to Keep Bees and Process HoneyAsaf Ayatuhaire, from Bushenyi District in South Western Uganda, has more than 100 beehives of different types. With an annual production of honey of around 2,000 kilogrammes, he earns more than US$ 2,200 a year and has recently registered a company, West Honeys Uganda.But ten years ago, Asaf had just three traditional hives and produced only six kilogrammes of honey a year. Then he attended a national training of trainers programme, organized and sponsored by the Entomology Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. After completing his training, he became involved in training other beekeepers in his local communities. Asaf was also able to interact with NGOs and international and local funding agencies, such as USAID, FAO and the District Farmers Association. These agencies helped him to expand his apiary and acquire improved top-bar hives.Today, thanks to beekeeping, Asaf has a permanent house, pays fees for his children in secondary and higher education and is able to save from his income.Why keep bees?• Bees pollinate crops and thus help increase yields• High demand for honey exists in local, regional and international markets   • Propolis, collected from plants by bees to cover the inside of the hive, treats a broad range of ailments• Pollen, collected from plants by bees to feed their larvae, is used in the perfume industry, and is a food additive and a medicine• Royal jelly, made by young bees from gland secretions and fed to the queen to make her strong, has medicinal propertiesSite selection Beehives should be placed near a source of water (river, stream, lake, dam or natural or man-made ponds) and in an area with adequate vegetation, such as coffee, sunflower, moringa, mangoes, oranges, bananas and other flowering plants.  The site should be fenced to protect bees from people and animals (and people and animals from bees).  Hives should be located at least 30 metres away from roads and public or noisy places. Populating the hiveThere are two ways of populating a swarm:1. Baiting a swarm• Use a small hive that has already been inhabited by bees and fill it with frames or top bars; two of the frames should contain combs and the others should have foundation sheets or strips of old comb.• Place the hive in a tree or on a roof in such a way that there is some protection from the wind.• Place the hive in its desired place the very day that the swarm has taken occupation of it. • Baiting is useful only in the swarming season, usually at the beginning of the dry season and end of a cold season. 2. Capturing a swarmYou may capture a newly settled swarm around a branch of a tree, but make sure you wear protective clothing. • First sprinkle cold water over the bees with a brush or spray bottle to stop them from moving away.• Hold a small hive without frames, a basket or a box under the swarm.• Drive the bees into the hive with a bee brush or smoke. CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 132Freshly harvested honey comb • Beewax is used in cosmetics, candles and polishes• Beekeeping has low start-up costs and occupies negligible land space• About 80% of honey consists of sugars that are readily absorbed by the body and honey is thus quite suitable for children, sick people and those who perform heavy manual tasks.Choosing the right hive The table below lists the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of hive.Type of  hive Advantages Disadvantages Local woven beehive Cheap and easy to establish Made from locally available materialsMore propolis is produced than in other types of  hiveThe colony cannot be inspected It is difficult to prevent swarming or replace a queenQuality cannot be controlled because the combs with brood cannot be separated from the honeycombsHoney yields are low (approximately 6 to 10 kg per year) Life span of the hive is up to 2 years  Type of  hive Advantages Disadvantages Top-bar hive Can be made with locally available and inexpensive materials Easy inspection and control of swarmingQuality of honey can be monitoredYields are 20 to 40 kg per year Life span is about 10 yearsMore wax is produced since the combs have to be cut from the frame during harvestingMore expensive than local hivesDifficult for small-scale farmers to acquire minimum economic number (about 10 hives)Predators and other insects can easily access them because they are hung low Langstroth hive Combs with brood (young bees) can be easily separated from combs with honeyYields range between 50 and 60 kg per yearQuality of honey can be monitoredCostly to build or buyRequires a special extractor to remove the honey from the combsNeeds more advanced beekeeping skills1 3 4How to Keep Bees and Process HoneyAsaf Ayatuhaire, from Bushenyi District in South Western Uganda, has more than 100 beehives of different types. With an annual production of honey of around 2,000 kilogrammes, he earns more than US$ 2,200 a year and has recently registered a company, West Honeys Uganda.But ten years ago, Asaf had just three traditional hives and produced only six kilogrammes of honey a year. Then he attended a national training of trainers programme, organized and sponsored by the Entomology Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. After completing his training, he became involved in training other beekeepers in his local communities. Asaf was also able to interact with NGOs and international and local funding agencies, such as USAID, FAO and the District Farmers Association. These agencies helped him to expand his apiary and acquire improved top-bar hives.Today, thanks to beekeeping, Asaf has a permanent house, pays fees for his children in secondary and higher education and is able to save from his income.Why keep bees?• Bees pollinate crops and thus help increase yields• High demand for honey exists in local, regional and international markets   • Propolis, collected from plants by bees to cover the inside of the hive, treats a broad range of ailments• Pollen, collected from plants by bees to feed their larvae, is used in the perfume industry, and is a food additive and a medicine• Royal jelly, made by young bees from gland secretions and fed to the queen to make her strong, has medicinal propertiesSite selection Beehives should be placed near a source of water (river, stream, lake, dam or natural or man-made ponds) and in an area with adequate vegetation, such as coffee, sunflower, moringa, mangoes, oranges, bananas and other flowering plants.  The site should be fenced to protect bees from people and animals (and people and animals from bees).  Hives should be located at least 30 metres away from roads and public or noisy places. Populating the hiveThere are two ways of populating a swarm:1. Baiting a swarm• Use a small hive that has already been inhabited by bees and fill it with frames or top bars; two of the frames should contain combs and the others should have foundation sheets or strips of old comb.• Place the hive in a tree or on a roof in such a way that there is some protection from the wind.• Place the hive in its desired place the very day that the swarm has taken occupation of it. • Baiting is useful only in the swarming season, usually at the beginning of the dry season and end of a cold season. 2. Capturing a swarmYou may capture a newly settled swarm around a branch of a tree, but make sure you wear protective clothing. • First sprinkle cold water over the bees with a brush or spray bottle to stop them from moving away.• Hold a small hive without frames, a basket or a box under the swarm.• Drive the bees into the hive with a bee brush or smoke. CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 132Freshly harvested honey comb 5 6How to Keep Bees and Process HoneyHoney harvesting For traditional and top-bar hives, harvest once or twice a year. For the Langstroth hive, harvest three or four times a year. Steps in harvesting honey:•  Wear protective clothing: overall, veils, gloves, boots•  Light smoker•  Gently open the hive•  Select combs that are two-thirds sealed full of honey•  Avoid combs with brood•  Lift comb, blow smoke on both sides and gently brush bees back into hive with a feather•  Cut away combs and honey, leaving about 1 cm of comb on the bar•  Place capped honey in a clean, dry container and cover•  Leave at least eight combs for the bees•  Before closing hive, push the unripe combs next to the combs with brood and place harvested bars behind these.Processing of honey•  Use a hot rod or knife to de-cap the honeycombs (by passing it over the combs).•  Place the de-capped comb on a piece of fine white linen tied over the top of a plastic container. The de-capped side should face downwards.•  Let the honey drip through the cloth until the cells are empty.•  Turn over the comb and repeat the above process.•  Pack honey in clean, dry jars with well-sealed lids. Label with date harvested and store in a cool place. Keeping recordsIt is important to keep records during each hive inspection in order to follow the progress of each colony and monitor its condition.  Hives should be inspected two to three-times a month. Entries may be made under the following headings: hive number, date hive occupied, date of inspection, observation, yield in kilogrammes.What can go wrongCause SolutionBees fly away Lack of food and waterDisturbance of hive e.g. by fire, people or animalsFrequent attacks by pestsEnsure sufficient food: plant flowering plants near hive Provide water during droughts Reduce size of colony Place hive at least 30 metres from roads and public places and fence site Treat bees gently  Keep hive area cleanBee sting Disturbance of hive Keep calm, remove the sting and smoke the stung area In case of severe reaction, report to nearest hospital or clinicPests (safari ants, wax moth, honey badger)Poor siting and maintenance of hivesHang hives between trees If poles are used, treat poles with used engine oil or grease to keep out termites and antsUse of insecticides or pesticides which poison beesUse of chemical sprays nearby Keep in touch with other farmers and know when they are spraying Request farmers to spray at night when bees are safely in hiveFires Bush burning Clear grass and bushes surrounding the apiaryFor more information:Market contactsNational Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO)P.O. Box 5318 Kampala-UgandaTel.: +256-41-343160, E-mail: tunadobee@yahoo.co.ukHoney Care Kenya LimitedP.O. Box 24487-00502, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel/Fax: +254-20-3874448/50 Email: info@honeycareafrica.com, Website: www.honeycareafrica.comAfrica Now Kenya LimitedP.O. Box 2514, Kisumu KenyaTel/Fax: +254-57-2021181 E-mail: kisumu@africanow.org, Website: www.africanow.orgTraining contactsBee Natural Products Uganda LtdP.O. Box 5318, Pan Africa House, Plot 3 Kimathi AvenueKampala, UgandaTel: +256-41-253844 or 234676; Fax: +256-41-259052Website: www.beenaturalproducts.comInternational Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, KenyaTel: +254 (20) 8632000; Fax: +254 (20) 8632001/8632002E-mail: icipe@icipe.org; Website: www.icipe.orgNational Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)P.O. Box 25235, Kampala, UgandaTel: +256-41-345440/345065/345066; Fax: +256-41-347843E-mail: naads@iwayafrica.com; Website: www.naads.or.ugSasakawa Global 2000 (MoA)P.O. Box 62347, Addis Ababa EthiopiaTel: +251-115-518040; Fax: +251-115-512984E-mail: moa@telecom.net.etThe ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) P.O. Box 380, 6700 AJ Wageningen, The Netherlands,  Tel: +31(0)317-467100, Fax: +31(0)317-460067, E-mail: cta@cta.int, Website: www.cta.intCTA is financed by the European Union© CTA 2007 - ISSN 1873-8192The information in this guide can be freely reproduced for non-commercial use, if credited as coming from CTA. Reproduction for commercial use requires prior authorization from CTACTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 13CTA Practical Guide Series, No. 131 getting ready 2 harvesting process3 harvested honey in comb 4 packed honey ready for market. 

How to keep bees and process honey

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How to keep bees and process honey

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