Hey Natasha!
I live in the bear valley area and have a flow hive! I’m getting my bees on 5/8, and the employees there are neigh sayers to the flow hive. Have you had a good experience so far? Do you have a heat source to keep your hive flowing?
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Ashley
Hello to both of you. I would get some plastic foundations and put in the frame instead of using foundationless frames. Get two brood boxes full before you add the super with the flow frames.
Bill
Hey Bill!!
Thanks for that recommendation! I currently have one brood box with frames with foundation. Should I go ahead and get the second brood box ASAP or let the new bees do their thing first before adding a second!? Also I’m not planning on harvesting honey until I’ve had bees for a year so they are happy and healthy. Is that a good plan?
I would get another brood. I learned the hard way last year losing my hive.
In Colorado you need two broods to make your hive strong.
Bill
Can do! Do you suggest medium or deep, I already have 1 deep.
Another deep
I have 10 frame broods.
Wait until the bees have drawn out most of the first brood box before adding a second, 80+%.
Yes you need to wait until 1st brood is 80% full before adding another.
Bill
Hi!
Hope all is well!
Just installed a new bee packaged 4 days ago, my hive from last year did not make it… they were robbed, raised another queen and absconded.
I am reusing all previously drawn frames in the brood box , (have a second one also with drawn frames ready to go) and the bees are very happy about that. Also feeding the sugar water and pollen patties for a good head start!
The only issue I have with the Flow Hive is a leaking roof that I need to address ASAP.
Cheers!
Natasha
Hello!
Another question! I got my bees yesterday and it was so fun!! Of course Colorado is about to hit us with more spring weather and potentially snow. Do I need to do anything extra to keep the girls warm and safe?
If it is only going to be a short period, say 2 or 3 days, then I would say no - they should be fine. If it will be longer, I would consider running to Home Depot or Ace Hardware and buying some 2 inch thick foam insulation board (roofing department, usually). You can then cut it to size and duct tape it around the hive body to help them keep the heat in. I would also make sure that the entrance is only about 2 inches - use paint stirrers, craft sticks or tongue depressors to reduce it down. A drafty hive is a nightmare for bees in really cold weather!
Good luck! 
They should be fine since it will be warm again. It is just a spring storm.
Bill
First year beek! Has anyone had luck with the Flow Hive in Colorado? My local beekeeping store said I would be disappointed and the Flow Hive didn’t work here because our season is too short.
Hi Kent, I see that you purchased a flow hive last year. Do you have a colony in it yet? Folks in Canada seem to be successful with flow hives, @Doug1 for example.
Installed a 5 frame Nuc a month ago. I’m up to two 10 frame deeps and doing great! The Queens is doing a nice job. Seems a little early to add the flow hive. Thoughts?
Your bees & queen are doing a great job. I would swap out some of those frames containing drones for frames with fresh foundation. Apart from that, if I had a flow hive in your situation, I’d leave the plug out of the crown board & monitor the roof cavity on a weekly basis until bees start to occupy the roof cavity. When that happens, I’d add the flow super.
@JeffH Thank you! I was thinking that was quite a few drones myself. Do you just freeze the frames and eventually put them back in the hive? I’ll try leaving the plug out and see what happens each week. This has been so much fun with my son (14 y.o.). He’s really enjoying it and spots our queen in seconds every time we do an inspection. Can’t wait to see the flow super in action.
Kent,
How broods do you have with your hive.
Bill
@Lamb1 There are 2 mostly drawn frames that are entirely drone brood and they’re drawing a 3rd frame and putting drone brood in it (it’s about 1/4 done).
Hello and welcome! That’s a good strong start your colony is making there. But - a lot of drones can be a sign of your bees getting ready to swarm. Do you have extra equipment on hand in case you need to make a split?
