On this latest hive inspection at the Bee Sanctuary, I had two guests join me who asked some fantastic questions that every beginner or curious observer usually has. We were looking at a colony rescued from the Northcliff bathtub trap-out, which has grown from four frames of brood to a thriving production hive.

The Top Questions Answered

1. Do you have to register as a beekeeper?

Yes, in South Africa, you must register with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

• The Marking: You’ll see codes like “GP 656” on my boxes. This is my unique registration number.
• The Reason: Registration helps the government keep tabs on hive health and disease spread. It also helps the community identify who owns a box if one is found in a random location.

2. How do you know when honey is ready to harvest?

It’s all about the “cap.”

• The Science: When bees first put nectar in the cells, it has high water content. They fan their wings to evaporate the moisture until it is below 18%.
• The Seal: Once it hits that magic number, they seal it with a wax cap. This “capped honey” lasts forever—literally! They’ve found edible honey in Egyptian tombs.
• The Risk: If you harvest “wet” (uncapped) honey, the water content is too high and it will ferment. Great for making Mead, but not great for your toast!

3. Can you sell your own honey?

Absolutely! I’ve started spinning my own honey and selling it right here in my neighbourhood. You don’t need a special commercial licence for small-scale local sales, but because my yield is still small, it goes quickly!

4. Why are some hives “long” and others “tall”?

My guests noticed the different hive shapes.

• Langstroth Hives: These are the vertical stacks I use. You expand them by going up with extra boxes (supers).
• Top Bar Hives: These are horizontal, “long” hives. Instead of stacking, you expand them sideways. Both have their pros and cons depending on your beekeeping style.

5. What should you look for when buying honey?

My best advice: find a local beekeeper. When you buy from the shop, you aren’t always sure what’s in the jar. Buying local guarantees 100% pure honey, and while it might cost a tiny bit more, the quality and taste are incomparable.

Hive Status Update

This Northcliff colony is doing “gorgeous” work. They have built out their foundation sheets all the way to the edges, and the queen is laying in almost every cell. We even spotted some large drone cells filled with nectar—drone cells are bigger, so you actually get a bit of extra honey out of them!

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Want to see the honey spinning process?

I’m spinning a batch tonight! Make sure to Subscribe to the Bee Sanctuary and hit the like button. Your support helps us reach our 3 to 300 hive goal.

Quick Question: Do you buy your honey from a supermarket or a local beekeeper? Let’s talk about the difference in the comments!