Summer...

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.” 
― Ray Bradbury

First honey harvest of the year

#1 son and DH have been working the bees.  They purchased some new queens (they just come in the mail).     After about three years the old queens stop laying.  The hive will make another queen but it takes about one and a half months so this speeds the process.  The first harvest of the year produced apx. 5 gallons of honey.  This is the honey harvest process.

Another by-product is wonderful beeswax.  We clean the capping wax, we leave the cells so the bees can just fill them again.  It's a lot less work for the bee which means more honey.  :-)

The wax goes into the double boiler which is a #10 can that has been modified.

When it is all melted we pour it through a nylon to filter out all the extra 'stuff' and what is left is beautiful clean wax that smells divine. 

Uses for beeswax??

Candles and ornaments Lip balm Cosmetics and medicinal creams Waterproofs shoes, fishing lines Lubricant for doors, windows, tools Wax for skis, toboggans, bow strings Furniture polish Soap making Beard and mustache wax Leather waterproofing Polishes Wood filler