Hi all,
I’ve had issues with crystalised honey in the flow frames reducing harvests from potentially 3kg per frame down to one or less, not to mention problems with the flow key and repeat attempts to harvest the same frames . I haven’t had a lot of success with heating up the frames reliably either. My mentor tried something recently with conventional frames with great results, so I thought I’d apply the same logic to flow frames.
He placed his conventional manly frames with wax foundation sideways in a bucket of water for 24 hours. He then shook the water off and put them back in the hive. The bees cleaned up everything INCLUDING the crystalised honey and his frames were back to full production.
I experimented with the flow frames by placing the laden crystalised frames in an esky and filling with water. Instead of putting them sideways, I put them right side up (removing the caps and flow key covers). After 24 hours I turned them upside down and put them back in the esky. After another 24 hours, I tipped the water out (well away as it attracts a lot of bees and I have dogs who are partial to honey and any thing food related) and let the water drain out of the frames inside the esky. I took the esky back to the hives and put the frames (shaking out excess water) in the flow supers.
When I picked up the frames, they were light as anything (yay) so I assumed the crystalised honey dissolved in the water (double yay). I put them back in the flow supers and, irrespective of where the bees were at with filling the supers, placed them next to the windows so I could see them at work.
I then checked sporadically to see the bees work the frames - started with a couple of bees before the frames were soon covered with bees. It’s all looking great so far and I’ve taken progress photos:
The second and last photo is through the same window, about two hours apart.
It’s only day 1 with the frames back in the hives, but encouraging so far!
Disclaimer - This is clearly an experiment with my own crystalised flow frames. I’m sure FlowHive haven’t designed them for submersion, so not expecting them to embrace this just yet.
Update - Day 2
I’m a wee bit excited!
The frames are looking pretty clean to me but I’m yet to remove them from the supers.
Photos:
Painted hive (third photo from Day 1):
It’s all very promising so far and I hope to confirm this when I pull the frames out and check there’s no adverse effects on them. If anyone else wants to give it a go, please do and your feedback would be appreciated.
I’ve been having issues with my frames with decreasing carrying capacity and usability - I was getting more honey seeping out the sides of the frames than through the flow tubes. The minimum temp on my oven makes me reluctant to risk heating the frames, so was keen to try something else. So far it’s looking like a winner and is easy-peasy
Well done. Looks like a clever solution to an age old problem, particularly with floral sources such as Leptospermum (Jellybush, Manuka)and canola.
One thing to be aware of is to ensure bees cannot access the shaken diluted honey. Bees accessing honey from other colonies is the most common way American Foul Brood (AFB) is spread. For this reason, in most states and territories of Australia it’s illegal to feed honey to bees. The exception is to feed back a colony’s own honey inside the hive. The Honey Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice also prohibits it inline with state and territory laws.
I know, it seems a bit authoritarian. But after seeing whole apiaries incinerated due to AFB, to me it’s worth the effort.
Another update!
I’ve checked out the frames and based on this small sample size, it’s been a ripping success. The frames were meticulously cleaned (as we know they would be) and there even seems less of the normal wax build up than prior to the experiment.
The bees have started filling up the frames, so I am yet to check the flow key operation (or flow hive operation for that matter) post-soak.
So, I encourage people to give it a try. If unsure, just have a crack with one flow frame and take it from there. And, please tell us how you went.
Tips:
If your frame is chock full of crystalised honey, adding water will make it heavier again. I don’t know what the load limit on the frames are, but take care to remove the frame slowly from the container to allow the water/honey to escape rather than risk the extra weight on your frames.
I started with the frames soaking right side up before turning upside down to soak again (slowly to allow water to escape). This will allow the water to more freely drain from the angled comb when you finish.
Take all caps off to allow water to escape when removing from the container.
Dispose of honey water mix so that bees can’t access.
I’ll report back again post-harvest, hopefully with a lot more than 500g of honey from one frame.
Thank you so much for the update.
If anyone else wants to have a go at removing crystallised honey from their frames using this method, please share your experiences.
It sounds like a great workable solution.
. I haven’t had a lot of success with heating up the frames reliably either. My mentor tried something recently with conventional frames with great results, so I thought I’d apply the same logic to flow frames.
