Received my new 2nd Flow hive 2 Tuesday this week and got straight into assembling the hive and applying the varnish (Cedar hive this time)
Assembling the hive this time was a breeze, after learning from the first hive.
Was able to assemble and varnish on the same day
I have just placed my 2nd new flow hive in position
Purchased a nuc 6 days ago from BeeWise.
I also purchased my 1st nuc from them and found that their nuc’s produce calm bees
So I’m hoping that this 2nd nuc will be the same.
I installed the 2nd nuc in the new brood hive yesterday morning and after a quick look this morning it seem that they have settled down well.
When I transferred the nuc frames to the brood hive I noticed a lot of comb partially filled with honey and a lot of capped cells.
Hopefully this will give the bees a good start leading up to winter
The flow hive on my 1st hive has been well received by the bees, there are large numbers sealing the honey cells but at this stage no honey as yet,
I’m looking forward to next spring and hopefully do my first honey flow
very nice set up… but- personally I would consider removing the legs from the hives- or- reducing the height of your stands. I know it would be a hassle now you are all set up- but I find working on hives at that kind of height to be more than just a tad uncomfortable. I like to have a stand no higher than my knees- even lower if you are using a flow hive 2 with the additional feet.
If you do decide to lower them you could simply move the a hive to the side on a temporary stage and then cut some length of those stands you have. If you did it on a very cold day the bee activity will be a lot lower.
I suppose an alternative would be to seriously mound up some earth on the sides and rear to raise the beekeeper up.
It is not great to inspect a brood when it is high up- and lifting off those supers when they are full will not be the most fun.
Hi @Semaphore, thanks for your reply. You have brought up a good point, never thought of that.
I have a carpenter back ground so was thinking of building a 1.8mx1.8m platform, that will hive me plenty of room to work from and I will be standing at the same height as the base of the hives.
Building the platform is no problem but placing it in position is something else.
I was thinking to wait till winter and lock the bees in their hives at night so that they can then be moved out of the way the next day whilst the platform is installed. After that place the hives on the platform, same height as they are now, and release the bees.
I choose winter to do this because the bees will be less active ?
Or can I do it any time, what are your thoughts on that.
Cheers, G
I just assembled my hive and have the cedar which is a pretty natural color. I don’t want to paint the hive an actual color so wanted to just put some wood protection on it. You mentioned you put some varnish on it, is this like a water sealer or can you elaborate as I don’t want to use something the bees won’t like or will hurt them.
@jerryt175 Sorry I forgot. I used a external sealer which has long life outside in the sun.
The product is “Sikkens Cetol Filter 7 Plus 077”
It has a glossy finish.
It is not cheap but is an excellent product.
I have used it on my Cedar flow hive.
I will post some pictures in the next few days
I hope that helps, Cheers G
Hi @TimB - our Flow Hives arrive with a little welcome to beekeeping brochure and hive assembly instruction manual, all of our other educational and informative material is online.
On top of this, our best advice is to also seek local and experienced advice such as with a mentor, local beekeeping association, club etc. As the beekeeping practices are unique to climate and region, so this element is very important to understand and pursue.
Reach out to the forum community here or Flow support team at info@honeyflow.com for any extra support. B
