Collecting Honey

Beekeepers collect honey and wax in August. Some beekeepers package the honey and wax themselves and sell them at a local market. Others sell the honey and wax to factories, which then sell honey and wax products to stores.

Checking the hives

In the summer, the hives are checked every two weeks. When the combs are full of honey, the beekeeper removes them from the hive. By the end of August, no more honey can be taken. The bees must begin storing it for the coming winter.

Slicing off the caps

The beekeeper uses a thin knife to slice off the tiny wax caps that seal the comb cells. He or she then places the combs in an extractor like this one.

Spinning the combs

An extractor is a big cylinder that spins the combs around quickly. It works in the same way as the spin cycle on a washing machine. The force of spinning pulls the honey out of the combs, just as water is pulled out of clothes as they spin in a washing machine.