> you can salvage the honey by scooping it
> into a pair of panty hose or a paint strainer (available from
> commercial painting stores, get the 5 gallon size) and wring the
> mess out.  The honey will be fine.
 
That's good advice.
 
I've been thinking about how many bees are in the mess.  If there
aren't too many, the main problem will be the wax.
 
I've wondered about using a solar melter -- possibly jury-rigged for
temporary use, seeing as it seems you have already started on the
melting route, albeit accidently.  This will avoid mashing the bees
and allow the honey and wax to run off quietly.
 
Another possibility is to put it into pails and place it in an  oven
or warming oven if your stove has one at a temperature around 200
degrees F -- warm enough to melt everything and cool enough not to
melt the plastic pail.
 
The wax will form a skin on top, and the bees and honey will be in
layers below.  I used this before I set up an old fridge with light
bulbs for the job.  If you time things right, the honey shouldn't be
overheated (much).
 
My main reservation is the number of bees.  A few won't matter, but
a large number might affect the honey -- even if they are candied,
since wringing might cause the entire mashed bee to become part of
the recovered honey.
 
Good luck.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>