How much

[Beeboy]

Does all of the honey has to be capped before you harvest it? I have a super that has mostly capped honey, but not quite all of it. I would say 90-95 percent capped on each frame. The thing is, it's been that way for a month. I have customers begging for honey, and I haven't spun any out because I have been waiting for them to finish it. Can I go ahead and spin it out, or should I wait?

[barry42001]

If you have 90 - 95% capped I would think so and kind of confusing as to why they wouldn't cap the remaining cells

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[DMLinton]

The only reason you want to wait for a high percentage capped honey is that only capped honey is certainly below the max water content for long term storage.  The degree of dehydration of the uncapped is unknown.  However, we are now into the 21st century and technology abounds - honey refractometers are more or less affordable so, with one on hand, you can determine moisture content without relying on the rule of thumb high percentage capped.

[Perry]

90 t0 95% is good to go. Bees are very economical with their work efforts. If they don't see the need to cap it, they won't.
Towards the later part of fall you will see moisture levels in uncapped honey below 18% but not neccesarily capped. They won't waste the time capping it if they feel they will be using it shortly.

[Beeboy]

Thanks everybody. I'll probably take some off next week when I get time.

[Barbarian]

Over here, beeks are suggested to use the "shake" test.

You hold the uncapped frame horizontal above the super and give a careful downward shake. Unripe honey is thrown out of the cells onto the top bars. If a lot of honey comes out, then it is not ready to harvest   ----- give the frame back to the bees for further work.

[riverbee]

what barbarian said, and that's all i have ever done.....the 'shake test'......but i don't do a 'careful shake test', i give the frame a good hard shake, if anything flys out, it doesn't get extracted, but these are usually on frames less than 90-95% capped.  like others beeboy, with what you have capped, i wouldn't worry about it and would feel confident in extracting the honey.  have fun, enjoy, and make your customers happy as well!

[tbonekel]

I would only add that the shake test is good unless you have foundationless frames. Then I don't think "a good shake" will have a very positive outcome.

[Perry]

I would only add that the shake test is good unless you have foundationless frames. Then I don't think "a good shake" will have a very positive outcome.

[apisbees]

2/3 to 3/4 of the cells capped. Even cells that are partially filled the bees have ripened the honey as they have placed it in the cells. And as it is ripened they move it into cells to fill and cap.

[riverbee]

"I would only add that the shake test is good unless you have foundationless frames. Then I don't think "a good shake" will have a very positive outcome. "

good point tbone!...............