# Entrance Reducer to Flow Hive 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Beekeeping - Basics\ **Created:** [April 26, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171 "2021-04-26T22:09:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mbairdtx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@mbairdtx](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/mbairdtx)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/1 "2021-04-26T22:09:55Z")
My new FlowHive didn’t come with a reducer (unless i lost it). I recently installed a NUC with 4 out of 8 foundations. The other four are on the outside or two and two. Is it necessary for me to make the opening of the hive smaller for a period of time? Last night the bees were hanging out on the edge getting some cool night air so seems fine but would like some advice. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![Dawn\_SD](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dawn_sd/32/15954_2.png) [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/2 "2021-04-26T22:34:30Z")
Hello and welcome to the Flow forum! > [@mbairdtx](#): > > Is it necessary for me to make the opening of the hive smaller for a period of time? I would reduce the entrance to about 6". You can use craft sticks, tongue depressors or even paint stirrers, glued together with wood glue and cut to the right length. Make sure that they fit tightly into the entrance, because the bees are VERY good at pushing them out. You don’t need finesse here, just something to make it easier for them to defend the space. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![HappyHibee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/happyhibee/32/27808_2.png) [@HappyHibee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/HappyHibee)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/3 "2021-04-27T22:34:39Z")
What hive did you buy? Most don’t its a new product ---
**Author:** ![mbairdtx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@mbairdtx](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/mbairdtx)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/4 "2021-04-27T22:42:57Z")
I bought the FlowHive 2. Going to add an entrance reducer to the front sold on Amazon for like $8 ---
**Author:** ![TimG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TimG](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/TimG)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/5 "2021-04-28T03:23:09Z")
I found a piece of black dripper hose about 4inches long lying on the ground by my FH2. It squashed down perfectly to reduce the entrance. I put it in the centre of the entrance leaving access either side. I can’t be sure on the science but my personal opinion is that having 2 openings aids ventilation. Often I stuff some stuff cardboard into the entrance again in the centre and as they need a bigger entrance they chew it away. These options are nothing fancy but cost nothing and they work. ---
**Author:** ![HappyHibee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/happyhibee/32/27808_2.png) [@HappyHibee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/HappyHibee)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 5:56am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/6 "2021-04-28T05:56:37Z")
They don’t come with one so you’ve not been short changed or lost it buddy. The design has a very shallow entrance. Ive never used an entrance reducer on my FL2s including winters (UK) Never an issue. ---
**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 6:22am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/7 "2021-04-28T06:22:47Z")
Hi Tim, quoting you “leaving access either side. I can’t be sure on the science”. My favorite beekeeping video clears that up at the 3 minute mark. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/3X/5/d/5d0abe86187552a8e29aee05a9956004e937d2bf.jpeg "Moody Institute of Science City of the Bees") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSkczlAuvY) You see how the bees draw air in on one side & out on the other. cheers ---
**Author:** ![TimG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TimG](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/TimG)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2021, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/entrance-reducer-to-flow-hive-2/30171/8 "2021-04-28T09:45:07Z")
Thanks Jeff, still yet to watch it. It’s on my list. 👍