What does the term "capping" refer to in beekeeping?

Capping refers specifically to the process in which bees seal honey-filled cells with a thin layer of wax. This is a crucial step in the honey production process, as it indicates that the honey has been sufficiently dehydrated and is ready for storage. Once the bees have collected nectar and processed it, they deposit it into hexagonal cells in the hive. When the moisture content reaches the appropriate level (generally below 18%), worker bees will cap these cells with wax to preserve the honey, ensuring its quality and longevity.

This behavior also plays a role in protecting the honey from contaminants and maintaining the right conditions within the hive. Recognizing capped honey cells is important for beekeepers because it signals when honey is ready to be harvested, ensuring they collect honey at its optimal state. Other options like extracting honey, removing queen cells, or filtering honey do not pertain to the concept of capping itself, but rather refer to different practices within beekeeping.