Created Friday 07 June 2024
using Auto Flowing Beehives, shouldn't we have a first level of normal frames and add a second level of flowing frames above a queen excluder?
Yes, using Auto Flowing Beehives, it is indeed a good practice to have a first level of normal frames (for the brood) and add a second level of flow frames (for honey) above a queen excluder. This setup ensures that the brood and honey are separated, which helps in maintaining the health of the hive and facilitates easier honey extraction. Here's how you can set up and manage such a hive:
Setup Steps
First Level (Brood Box):
Use standard frames for the brood box where the queen can lay eggs.
This box should contain frames with both brood and food stores (pollen and some honey for the bees).
This box should contain frames with both brood and food stores (pollen and some honey for the bees).
Queen Excluder:
Place a queen excluder on top of the brood box.
The queen excluder is a grid that allows worker bees to pass through but prevents the queen from moving into the upper honey super. This ensures that no eggs are laid in the flow frames.
The queen excluder is a grid that allows worker bees to pass through but prevents the queen from moving into the upper honey super. This ensures that no eggs are laid in the flow frames.
Second Level (Flow Frames):
Place the flow frames in the honey super above the queen excluder.
These frames will be used exclusively for storing and harvesting honey.
These frames will be used exclusively for storing and harvesting honey.
Management Tips
Regular Inspections:
Regularly inspect the brood box to ensure the queen is laying eggs and the brood is healthy.
Check the honey super to monitor honey storage and ensure no brood is present in the flow frames.
Check the honey super to monitor honey storage and ensure no brood is present in the flow frames.
Harvesting Honey:
Only harvest honey from fully capped flow frames. Capped frames indicate that the honey is ready and there is minimal risk of brood being present.
Use the flow mechanism gently to minimize disturbance to the bees.
Use the flow mechanism gently to minimize disturbance to the bees.
Adding Supers:
If the hive becomes crowded or honey production is high, you can add additional supers above the flow frames for more honey storage.
Seasonal Adjustments:
During the peak nectar flow, focus on managing the honey super and ensuring the bees have enough space for honey storage.
In early spring or late fall, concentrate on the brood box to ensure the hive is healthy and prepared for winter.
In early spring or late fall, concentrate on the brood box to ensure the hive is healthy and prepared for winter.
Maintaining Hive Health:
Keep an eye out for signs of disease or pests in both the brood box and the honey super.
Ensure the hive has adequate ventilation and is protected from extreme weather conditions.
Ensure the hive has adequate ventilation and is protected from extreme weather conditions.
Benefits of This Setup
Protection of Brood: The queen excluder ensures that the brood is confined to the lower box, protecting the young bees and maintaining a healthy hive.
Efficient Honey Extraction: Flow frames in the honey super allow for easy and efficient honey harvesting without disturbing the brood.
Hive Management: Separating the brood and honey areas simplifies hive management and reduces the risk of contamination or disruption during honey collection.
Efficient Honey Extraction: Flow frames in the honey super allow for easy and efficient honey harvesting without disturbing the brood.
Hive Management: Separating the brood and honey areas simplifies hive management and reduces the risk of contamination or disruption during honey collection.
By using this setup, you can maximize the benefits of Auto Flowing Beehives while ensuring the health and productivity of your bee colony.