Although most people have a fear of bees, beekeeper Steve Gilger says there is no reason to be afraid. Bees are more beneficial than harmful: not only do they produce honey (Gilger gets about 60 gallons from his hives each summer), but they are also "nature's helpers." Gilger, who started with a hive he found in an attic, now has a half-million bees! Gilger says intrigued hobbyists can get started for a $300 investment. The initial expense will cover the purchase of the beekeeper's suit, smoker, a hive tool and the initial supers (boxed hives). Gilger shares his method for harvesting beeswax: - First, Gilger "uncaps" the honeycomb with a hot knife to harvest the beeswax (figure A).
- Once the wax is gathered, he uses a solar wax melter to melt and filter debris from the wax.
- He then collects the strained, melted wax and repeats the melting and straining process with a double-boiler. The wax is then poured into a mold, where it's allowed to cool.
- Beeswax can be used in candles, lip balm, and candy, but Gilger usually makes award-winning honey or uses his honey to make mead, one of the earliest alcoholic beverages. Historically, mead, or "honey moonshine", was given to newlyweds at the end of the wedding -- hence the term "honeymoon." Mead is created from a combination of honey, water and yeast, which is allowed to ferment for about three to four weeks.
RESOURCES :
National Honey Board
390 Lashley St.
Longmont, CO 80501-6045
Phone: (303) 776-2337
Fax: (303) 776-1177
Web site: www.nhb.org
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