News

Sep 26, 2023

BOMMER'S BEES: It's time for honey

Our spring honey flow is all but over, so that means it is time to get ready for

Our spring honey flow is all but over, so that means it is time to get ready for the harvest. To harvest this honey, we must remove it from the bees and bring it in to process it.

To accomplish this, we remove the wax capping which is covering the cell, or what you might call the honeycomb. Next, the uncapped frame of honey is placed into an extractor which it is spun removing the honey. The honey drains down to the base of the extractor and up through a valve normally into a double-stainless steel strainer and into a bucket. It is allowed to rest in the bucket, which allows any wax or other particles to come to the surface and then can be bottled and made available for usage. The bits that are strained out would not hurt anyone as they are just wax; however, when you purchase a jar of honey people do not want to see debris.

Most beekeepers will check the moisture content to make sure that the honey is suitable for extraction. However, on this long rainy weekend honey being hydroscopic, it can draw moisture out of the air and increase the moisture content. New honey will shortly be available to you for purchase, and I would recommend that you sample from different beekeepers as honey flavors will differ and are dictated by the honey source.

You should also remember that honey can be used on hot biscuits, salad dressings, glazes and ice cream. Welcome to the season to enjoy this new extracted honey in many ways. Later in the summer honey can be extracted from other agricultural crops. So enjoy your sweet treats. Responsible beekeepers will leave enough honey on their hives to support them through the summer.

What are the commercial beekeepers doing at this time with their bees? Many commercial beekeepers are in Maine to pollinate the low bush blueberry crop. The blueberries that you purchase in the frozen section in your local grocery most likely are coming from Maine. These beekeepers come in on contract as their bees have been judges to meet the criteria for blueberry pollination. Blueberry pollination in Maine can become difficult due to the bear population. Good news is that they scare off fairly easily. Unlike Boo Bear that wants the honey the bears want the brood as it is pure protein. The bear are not gently when they open a hive but rather destructive. A portion of the bees once the blueberry pollination is over will move down and pollinate the cranberries.

So, bees in South Carolina are doing what? South Carolina grows a lot of squash and cucumbers for your enjoyment, but these require pollination. A little east of this area, watermelons and cantaloupes are grown, which also require pollination. South Carolina will provide a large portion of the east coast for the Fourth of July. A week or so prior to the Fourth of July, if you would go past the packing house in Barnwell, you may see six to eight semi-trucks waiting to be loaded. So when you have a melon as part of your summer treat, thank a beekeeper.

This is an excellent time for beekeepers to split some of their hives. This means that they will take some bees and brood from a hive placing it into a smaller box and provide them with a queen. This can make up for any winter losses.

A Summer Reading Book Club for adults will meet Tuesdays, June 6 and 27 and July 18 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. The books are non-fiction and focus on disability culture. They are "Being Heumann" by Judith Heumann, "Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture…" by Keah Brown and "Disability Visibility" edited by Alice Wong. To sign up, visit the library's reference desk. For more information, visit abbe-lib.org. Read moreToday's events for June 6

Recently I read a heart-wrenching story about a man who selflessly helped a family of ducks cross a busy intersection, only to meet a tragic end himself when he was struck by an oncoming car. The ducks, oblivious of course to the sacrifice made on their behalf, continued their journey unscat… Read moreANIMAL CONNECTION: Ways to support those who serve animals

Aiken Women In Black and Moms Demand Action will hold a Vigil for Peace and Nonviolence from 4:30-5:30 p.m. today on Whiskey Road across from The Fresh Market (at Hitchcock Drive, the entrance to Aiken Estates). Please note the later time. Join us in seeking a path to peace this year in the midst of so much hate and violence. Everyone is welcome – men, women, children. Bring your own nonpartisan sign or use one of ours. If you can't stand, bring a chair. For more information, call Lynn (501-499-4485) or Brenda (803-648-6020). Read moreToday's events for June 5

Aiken Music Fest will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Highfields Event Center, 118 Gaston Road. The Robbie Ducey Band will headline. Chris Ndeti also will perform. The event offers BYOB tailgating. The Big Smoke Barbecue food truck and other vendors will be on hand. Tickets are $15 per person. Kids 12 and younger are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit aikenmusicfest.com. Read moreToday's events for June 4