Enhance Your Beekeeping Experience with Flow Hive 2+

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hive Check
   1. Test Tray
   2. Hive Growth and Improvements
   3. Harm from Wet Weather
   4. Honey Smells
3. Opening the Hive
4. Importance of Safety
5. Oil Trap
6. Colony Health
   1. Active Bees
   2. Adding a Super
7. Weather Challenges
   1. Cold and Wet Days
   2. Delaying Super Addition
8. Cockroach Trap
   1. Bees and Attraction to Poison
   2. Placement of the Trap
9. Adding the Super
   1. Swarm Activity
   2. Experiment with Flow Super
10. Inspection of the Hive
    1. Cleaning Smashed Bees
    2. Temperature and Sweat
    3. Removing Queen Excluder
    4. Observing the Flow Frames
11. Collecting Propolis Wax
12. Closing the Hive
13. Conclusion

Hive Check and Adding a Super

Introduction

Hey guys, welcome back to the Channel. Today, I'll be doing a hive check to see how our bees are doing. We'll also be adding a super to accommodate their growing colony. Let's get started and see what we find!

Hive Check

First, let's start by checking the test tray to see if there are any unwanted visitors. It's normal to find a few mummies in the tray since it's been a while since our last inspection. We'll clean it up and refresh the entrance to ensure the bees have a clean environment to work in.

The activity in the hive is impressive, indicating that the spring season has been helping the bees grow and thrive. The bees are busy flying in and out, keeping things clean and in check. This is a positive sign for the health of the colony.

Opening the Hive

As I open the hive, I can't help but emphasize the importance of safety. Unfortunately, I got stung in a previous inspection because I wasn't wearing protective boots. Bees will sting if they feel threatened, so it's crucial to always wear the necessary gear to protect yourself.

I've placed an oil trap in the hive, and it seems to be working well. The colony looks healthy, and everyone is doing their job. The last layer we checked was empty, but from what I can see, the bees are actively building on the frames. It's time for us to add the next super to provide them with more space to expand.

Weather Challenges

However, I've realized that the next few days will be cold and wet, which may not be favorable for the bees. Considering the weather conditions, it might be best to wait until after the rain stops to add the super. We want to ensure that the bees have the best chances for a successful expansion.

The weather this year, influenced by La Nina, hasn't been ideal for beekeeping. Although the bees are active, the weather is not cooperating. It's essential to take these environmental factors into account to make the right decisions for the hive's well-being.

Cockroach Trap

While inspecting the hive, I noticed a few smaller cockroaches. Although I had a trap in place, I decided not to stress too much about them. If the bees have an issue with the cockroaches, they will eliminate them on their own. Nature has a way of maintaining harmony, and we trust that the bees will handle any pests that come their way.

Adding the Super

Despite the weather challenges, the bees have already started to swarm, indicating that they need more space. To address this, we will be adding a flow super on top. This way, we can access honeycomb from the top, while still having a traditional brood box for the bees' family and egg-laying area. It's an experiment, and we'll see how it goes together.

Inspection of the Hive

I carefully clean up any smashed bees from the previous inspection. It's a hot day, and I'm sweating heavily, but it's worth it to ensure the hive is in optimal condition. I remove the queen excluder, making sure there's no way for the queen to escape to the top layer. The flow frames are looking impressive, and the bees have already started building on them.

I can't help but Notice the strong smell of honey in the hive. It's a promising sign that the bees are thriving and creating an abundance of honey. I close the hive, satisfied with the work done, and excited for the upcoming flow in a few months. We'll Continue monitoring the hive and sharing updates with You.

Conclusion

Adding the super to our hive was a success, despite the challenges posed by the weather. The bees are healthy, active, and doing their job diligently. We've taken the necessary precautions to ensure both our safety and the bees' well-being. Stay tuned for more updates as we see how the floor Hive progresses and experience the flow of honey in the coming months.

Highlights

• A hive check reveals a thriving colony growing in size and activity.
• Safety is of utmost importance when inspecting beehives to avoid bee stings.
• Weather challenges, such as cold and wet conditions, can impact hive expansion.
• The use of traps, like oil traps and cockroach traps, helps maintain hive health.
• Adding a super to the hive provides extra space for the bees to expand and produce honey.
• Observing propolis wax and cleaning the hive ensures a clean and comfortable environment for the bees.
• The flow frames and the strong smell of honey indicate a successful hive and upcoming honey flow.

FAQ

Q: Why is safety important when inspecting beehives? A: Safety is crucial when inspecting beehives to protect oneself from bee stings. Bees will sting if they feel threatened, and wearing protective gear, like boots and gloves, is essential.

Q: How do weather conditions affect hive expansion? A: Weather conditions, such as cold and wet days, may not be ideal for hive expansion. It's best to wait for favorable conditions to ensure the bees have the best chances for success.

Q: What role do traps play in maintaining hive health? A: Traps, like oil traps and cockroach traps, help in controlling pests and maintaining a clean environment for the bees to thrive.

Q: Why is adding a super important for hive expansion? A: Adding a super provides additional space for the bees to expand their colony and produce honey. It ensures a healthy and thriving hive.

Q: What can the smell of honey indicate in a hive? A: The strong smell of honey indicates that the bees are thriving and producing an abundance of honey. It's a promising sign of a successful hive.