Very thick honey - couldn't extract

[enrico]

Winter feed I reckon. It happens. If like the original post the heat gun isn't working then use a hot knife. If the cappings get wet then a heat gun will never melt them. I know it was an old post but worth mentioning. Don't microwave them.

 

[ericbeaumont]

returning the frames to the hives for winter food

Yes, or put the super (when a flow is absent) above the CB with a small hole. They ought to/usually/should clear it, but only when zero is coming in.

 

[drex]

In my experience whether there is a flow on or not makes no difference. When foraging bees calculate the amount of energy that will be brought in against the energy expended to get the reward. ( can't remember who proved this, think it might have been Tom Seeley)
Surely getting it "from upstairs" would win, hands down, from flying a mile or two

 

[pargyle]

In my experience whether there is a flow on or not makes no difference. When foraging bees calculate the amount of energy that will be brought in against the energy expended to get the reward. ( can't remember who proved this, think it might have been Tom Seeley)
Surely getting it "from upstairs" would win, hands down, from flying a mile or two

I must admit I've never had a problem with them taking down honey from frames above a small hole in the crownboard at any time - I've found it works best with an empty super (no frames) above the hole and below the box with frames to be cleared. It also helps if you scratch the cappings if there are capped cells. Mind you - I think my bees are notoriously lazy !! Bit like their keeper !

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've had spectacular failure with that this year.
All off now to spin and feed back

 

[pargyle]

I've had spectacular failure with that this year.
All off now to spin and feed back

Your bees are obviously a lot less lazy than mine ... have you seen this happen before ? Mine are sometimes a bit slow to find it but once a few are in there they can empty frames at a tremendous speed.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Interesting I’ve never had a problem with my bees cleaning up cappings or frames above , but I’ve always done it when there isn’t much income ie a honey flow .
Also never had them re work the cappings in three seasons there’s still time perhaps .

 

[Erichalfbee]

Your bees are obviously a lot less lazy than mine ... have you seen this happen before ? Mine are sometimes a bit slow to find it but once a few are in there they can empty frames at a tremendous speed.

It never used to work which is why I started nadiring then I got fed up of losing mouldy super frames. I guess an empty super frame under a 14x12 would be prone to that.
Then last year it did work. Bees!