How to Harvest Honey in a Small Apartment

Harvesting honey in a small apartment is entirely possible with the right approach. By using compact equipment and low-mess techniques, even urban beekeepers or community-garden hive sharers can extract honey at home. This step-by-step guide will walk you through a honey harvest with minimal space and minimal mess, focusing on keeping your kitchen (or balcony) clean and pest-free.

1. Equipment: Choosing Your Harvest Method and Tools

There are two main methods to extract honey: the Crush-and-Strain method and using a centrifugal Extractor. Each has advantages for small spaces:

• Crush-and-Strain Method:

  • Ideal for small batches and beginner-friendly.
  • Minimal equipment needed: food-safe bucket, cheesecloth or mesh strainer, potato masher or spoon.
  • Does destroy comb, so bees must rebuild it.
  • Saves space and money.

• Small Extractor Rental or Purchase:

  • Preserves wax comb, which saves bees energy.
  • Compact 2- to 4-frame extractors are available.
  • Can be rented from local beekeeping clubs or suppliers to avoid long-term storage.
  • Look for removable legs or vertical stacking designs for easier storage.

Additional Tools You’ll Need:

• Uncapping fork or serrated knife
• Large pan or tray for drips
• 5-gallon food-grade bucket with or without honey gate
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Jars or bottles with tight lids

Storage Tip: Store all your tools inside the honey bucket when not in use to keep them clean and organized.

2. The Process: Harvesting Honey in a Small Space

Step 1: Pulling Frames (Bee-Free)

• Shake or brush all bees off the frames outdoors.
• Place frames into a sealed box or plastic bin with lid to avoid bees following you indoors.
• Close windows and doors during indoor work to prevent attracting bees from outside.

Step 2: Set Up a Clean Workspace

• Lay plastic sheeting or newspapers on the floor and counters.
• Prepare a warm room (~80°F/27°C) for easy honey flow.
• Turn off fans to avoid blowing dust into honey.

Step 3: Uncapping the Comb

• Use an uncapping fork or hot knife to slice wax caps off cells.

  

• Collect cappings in a bowl to drain later.
• If using crush-and-strain, cut the entire comb out of the frame directly into a bowl or bucket.

Step 4: Extracting the Honey

Option A: Using an Extractor

• Load uncapped frames evenly in extractor.
• Hand-crank and let honey spin out into the bucket.
• Use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to filter directly as it flows.

Option B: Crush-and-Strain Method

• Mash the comb thoroughly with a potato masher or clean hands.
• Pour mash into a strainer setup over a clean container.

  

• Cover and let drain for several hours or overnight in a warm spot.

Mess-Minimizing Tips:

• Work over the sink or tub.
• Keep a bowl of warm water nearby to rinse hands/tools.
• Use drop cloths and immediately wipe up any drips.
• Only extract on balconies or porches if fully bee-proof and during low activity hours.

3. Bottling: Filtering, Settling, and Jarring

Step 1: Final Filtering

• Filter honey again using cheesecloth or a fine mesh sieve to remove any last bits of wax.
• Do not use heat – honey flows best naturally when warm.

Step 2: Settling (Optional)

• Let honey sit in a covered bucket for 2–6 hours so air bubbles rise to the top.
• Skim off any foam or scum from the top.

Step 3: Jarring

• Pour into clean, dry jars using a funnel or honey gate.
• Wipe threads before capping to avoid attracting pests.
• Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place.

Space-Saving Tip: Use one large container for bulk storage and keep only a small jar in regular use.

4. Cleanup: Managing Sticky Wax and Residue

Step 1: Remove and Store or Discard Wax

• Do not pour wax down the drain.
• Scrape wax into a sealed container or trash bag and remove it from the apartment.

Step 2: Washing Tools

• Soak sticky tools in very hot water with dish soap.
• Use a spatula to peel off hardened wax after cooling.
• Optional: Place waxy tools in the freezer to easily scrape off solidified wax.

Step 3: Deep Clean to Prevent Pests

• Wipe all surfaces with hot water and vinegar or baking soda.
• Mop the floor and clean under mats, appliances, and sink edges.
• Take trash out immediately.

Pest Prevention Tips:

• Place jars or buckets on a tray of water (moat method) to block ants.
• Wipe jars thoroughly after sealing.
• Don’t leave honey uncovered in open air, especially on balconies.

Optional Bee Cleanup Trick: Let bees clean equipment outdoors on a secure balcony or near your hive—but only when safe to do so, and never with deep pools of honey present.