Is the 2+ worth the extra $100, or should I just get the Hive 2 and add the Entrance Reducer and the ant guards?
The Flow Hive 2+ is also the cedar timber, which is a step up in terms of durability. An entrance reducer is definitely useful for a new colony, in colder climates and if you are working with a struggling colony. Ant guards are a great addition too, ants are often crawling around attracted by the sweet smells, and although they rarely impact on the bees, they are nuisance for beekeepers. Lifting a lid and being welcomed by a nest of ants crawling over you is not fun.