How To Get Bees To Work in the Flow Hive Supers
If you’re a Flow Hive user, you know one of the most exciting parts of the setup is watching honey flow straight from the hive to the jar. But getting bees to actually work in Flow Hive supers can sometimes be tricky, especially if they’re new to the frames or aren’t yet motivated to start storing nectar there. In this video, I’ll share tried-and-true strategies for encouraging your bees to take to the Flow Hive super, fill it with honey, and make the most of your hive’s unique design.
Understanding Bee Behavior in Flow Hive Supers
Bees can sometimes be cautious or even reluctant to start working in Flow Hive frames. This reluctance can be due to several factors, like colony size, weather conditions, or even the materials in the hive. For bees to feel encouraged to use the Flow Hive super, they need to feel like they have enough nectar, space, and population to support honey storage. I’ll walk you through these basic requirements so you can assess if your colony is ready.
Steps to Encourage Bees to Use Flow Hive Supers
Build Up Brood First: Bees prioritize brood rearing before honey storage, so it’s essential to ensure that your colony is strong, with a healthy brood box and good population. I’ll explain how to know when your brood box is fully built up and ready for the extra space.
Add Super During a Strong Nectar Flow: Timing is everything. Bees need an active nectar flow to feel motivated to store excess nectar. Adding the Flow super at the start of a major nectar flow gives bees the incentive to start filling it with honey.
Wax the Flow Frames: Bees are more likely to work on frames that already smell familiar. I’ll show you how to add a bit of wax to your Flow frames, which can attract bees and encourage them to start storing nectar there.
Reduce Space in Early Stages: Giving bees too much room too soon can be overwhelming. Instead of adding the Flow super too early, make sure they’ve filled the brood box first. This tactic helps bees focus on using the space in the Flow frames efficiently.
Regular Inspections to Check Progress: Finally, I’ll cover how to inspect your Flow Hive super without disturbing the colony. Regular checks can give you a good idea of when the bees start to work in the frames, and it helps you see how the colony is progressing with nectar storage.
Patience Is Key with Flow Hive Bees
Encouraging bees to work in Flow Hive supers takes a little patience, but it’s incredibly rewarding once they start filling the frames. With these tips, you’ll give your colony the best possible chance to make the most of the Flow system and get to that amazing moment of flowing honey.
Thanks for Watching!
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