Use of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Honey Extractor
((as of Feb. 2026, not sure if this information is still current or not, but see below on a new extractor available in Moorefield))
A honey extractor can cost $500-$1000 which may not be a feasible investment for some beginning beekeepers at the outset. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture purchased honey extractors and fielded them around the state. The state owned honey extractor is a 9 frame, motorized extractor. In our local area, Bob Aikens , phone # 304-267-2298, Email: [email protected], of the Eastern Panhandle Beekeepers Association is responsible for signing out the WVDA extractor. The extractor can be signed out for three days at a time. In order to use the extractor the person must belong to a bee club. Bob has the extractor at his house which is on Rt. 45 between Martinsburg and Shepherdstown, WVa. (He is closer to Martinsburg). The base for the extractor is a piece of plywood which is 4 feet x 4 feet--something to consider when transporting it. Contact Bob Aikens directly if you ever wish to arrange to use the WVDA honey extractor. There is no cost to use the WVDA extractor.
Our club also has a three-frame extractor, contact the president or secretary for information.
As of February 2026, the Moorefield Agricultural Extension Service has a 12-frame extractor and de-capping kit available for use by beekeepers in the area. To use this extractor, contact the Moorefield Ag. Extension office at 304 530-0273.
((as of Feb. 2026, not sure if this information is still current or not, but see below on a new extractor available in Moorefield))
A honey extractor can cost $500-$1000 which may not be a feasible investment for some beginning beekeepers at the outset. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture purchased honey extractors and fielded them around the state. The state owned honey extractor is a 9 frame, motorized extractor. In our local area, Bob Aikens , phone # 304-267-2298, Email: [email protected], of the Eastern Panhandle Beekeepers Association is responsible for signing out the WVDA extractor. The extractor can be signed out for three days at a time. In order to use the extractor the person must belong to a bee club. Bob has the extractor at his house which is on Rt. 45 between Martinsburg and Shepherdstown, WVa. (He is closer to Martinsburg). The base for the extractor is a piece of plywood which is 4 feet x 4 feet--something to consider when transporting it. Contact Bob Aikens directly if you ever wish to arrange to use the WVDA honey extractor. There is no cost to use the WVDA extractor.
Our club also has a three-frame extractor, contact the president or secretary for information.
As of February 2026, the Moorefield Agricultural Extension Service has a 12-frame extractor and de-capping kit available for use by beekeepers in the area. To use this extractor, contact the Moorefield Ag. Extension office at 304 530-0273.
