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      Flow Hive EU Flow Hive EU
      • Shop
        • Flow Hives
        • Bundles
        • On Sale and Specials
        • Bee Suits and Smokers
        • Flow Supers and Brood Boxes
        • Flow Frames
        • Spare Parts and Extras
        • All Products
        • Gift Cards
      • About
        • About Flow
          • How Flow Hive Works
          • Research & Development
          • Flow Honey
        • Sustainability
          • Our Impact
          • Billions of Blossoms
          • Bee The Change
          • Pollinator Support Program
        • Community
          • Meet the Beekeeper
          • Beekeeping Clubs
          • Authorised Flow Resellers
          • Certified Flow Ambassadors
          • Refer-A-Friend
          • Flow Forum - Ask the community
      • Beginner Beekeeping
        • Online Beekeeping Course
        • Getting Started Beekeeping
        • Starter Bundle
      • Support
        • FAQs
        • Manuals and Assembly
        • Beekeeping Basics
        • Flow Forum
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        Beekeeping in fall

        With summer solstice behind us, the days are gradually getting shorter, and with the change in season so too do we change over to another page in the beekeeping calendar.

        This is the time that beekeepers begin their preparations to ensure their colony not only survives, but also thrives into spring.

        Although temperatures may remain warm in some areas, it’s time to start considering which overwintering practices you will choose for your colony.

        New to beekeeping? Here's our fall starter guide.

        Winter is coming...

        In many places, there won’t be any forage available during winter, so it’s very important to ensure your colony has enough resources and to prepare your hive, especially if you live in a very cold climate. The steps you need to take will depend on local conditions.

        It's a good idea to connect with local beekeepers to understand specific overwintering practices for your area. Or put your questions to our Community forum to engage with beekeepers around the world and get a range of advice.

        WATCH VIDEO

        What do I need to check?

        How well a colony will survive through winter depends largely upon:

        • The number of bees
        • The health and condition
        • The resources available inside the hive
        • How well the hive is equipped to deal with the cold weather (ie: ventilation, insulation, etc).

        Read more here on preparing for winter.

        Are your bees getting fatter?

        Before winter, it’s important to do a brood inspection and count and to have a look at the queen’s laying pattern.

        Towards the end of the summer, the colony will stop producing foraging bees, and will instead produce fat winter bees. These live longer than foragers, and their larger bodies help to generate heat and to insulate the brood and the queen throughout the winter months.

        Watching your bees come and go can be one of the most rewarding parts of beekeeping! Can you notice the different activity levels compared to spring and summer?

        What’s going on in my area?

        Finding out what’s in bloom, and what’s going to be available for your bees during this time of year is essential. A great aspect of being a beekeeper is that you learn more about your local wildlife – and become more in tune with nature’s rhythms.

        In some areas there will still be nectar available throughout the fall. You might even get some unique honey flavors you haven’t tasted before.

        Watch out for pests

        While the air is still warm, conduct inspections and treat for any pests and disease, so your colony is in optimal health, before being packed down and tucked in overwinter.

        Now is a good time to check for varroa mites, and treat the hive before packing down.

        Do they have enough food?

        It’s important to check honey stores to assess whether you might need to feed your hive coming into, or during winter. How much they need will depend on the length and severity of winter in your area.

        Check out Cedar’s homemade feeders

        Do I need to reduce the size of my hive?

        The more space in the hive, the harder the bees will have to work to keep the hive warm. Lots of beekeepers will remove their super in fall. The brood boxes should contain plenty of honey.

        During winter, the bees will form a cluster at the bottom of the hive to retain warmth, and gradually work their way upwards to make the most of their resources.

        If you leave your super on over winter, you should remove the queen excluder to ensure the queen doesn’t get separated from the rest of the colony.

        Having the right amount of ventilation and insulation is also vital. There should not be any ventilation at the top of the hive (eg: an open top entrance).

        Watch Fred Dunn talk about winter tips for Flow Hives

        Plan on expanding next year?

        If you’re thinking of getting another hive next year, now is a good time to start thinking about what you need. Perhaps you’ll split your existing hive, or sign up to get a nuc or package from your local club or bee supplier.

        Having more than one hive is a great way to learn more quickly, as you can compare and contrast what’s going on with different colonies.

        With less time spent in the apiary in winter, you’ll have time to start thinking about what type of hive you’d like for next season and where to put it. You can even get it assembled and painted in plenty of time for next spring!

        Bundle and save

        How Flow Hives add value to apiaries

        Using Flow's harvesting technology, Stella and John have added value by producing specialty sweet and red clover honey.
        The unique and local flavour of single-frame harvesting has expanded their market to people who look for honey like they do for wine and cheese—flavour and the story behind it.

        Need extra help?

        There’s always more to learn as a beekeeper!

        So, in conjunction with the world's experts, we’ve created TheBeekeeper.org

        It lets you fast-track your learning easily and enjoyably. Learn in your own time with high-quality videos explaining what you need to know in order to feel confident looking after your bees.

        With specific lessons on the beekeeping season, winter preparations & pest control, get a beekeeping education straight from the specialists!

        Share with a friend

        Help a newbee set up a hive or split your colony with a friend! It’s a great way to speed up your beekeeping knowledge.

        Our Refer-A-Friend program allows your friend to receive $50 off their first hive, and you receive a sweet $50 reward.

        If you don’t have a beekeeping buddy, consider linking up with someone local on the Flow Community Forum.

        Start refering
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        Flow is about more than harvesting honey. We’re committed to creating a community of educated, empowered beekeepers, protecting pollinators, and highlighting the importance of bees to the world.

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        7-Frame Flow Hive

        • Recommended for beekeeping in cold climates

        • More room in the brood box which can lead to a larger bee colony

        • An extra Flow Frame in the super for higher potential honey yield

        • 10-frame Langstroth sizing

        • Harvest 21kg (46 lb) when your Flow Super is full


        7 Frame Flow Hive 2+
        7 Flow Frames

        6-Frame Flow Hive

        • Our most popular Flow Hive size around the world

        • A slightly lighter option for easier lifting

        • 8-frame Langstroth sizing

        • Harvest 18kg (40 lb) when your Flow Super is full





        6 Frame Flow Hive 2+
        6 Flow Frames

        Adjustable Hive Stand

        Hive Stand - Metal, Wood

        Control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground, ensuring the ultimate slope for honey harvesting.

        Keep your hive level to aid in straight foundationless brood comb formation

        Keep your hive dry and off the ground, preventing ground dwelling pests from gaining easy access.

        Free Hive Stand – Limited time only

        Hive Stand - Metal, Wood

        Simply add the coupon FREEHIVESTAND at checkout to save €70!

        Offer available until midnight September 28th or until sold out. T&Cs apply.

        Adjustable Hive Stand Benefits

        Control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground, ensuring the ultimate slope for honey harvesting.

        Keep your hive level to aid in straight foundationless brood comb formation

        Keep your hive dry and off the ground, preventing ground dwelling pests from gaining easy access.

        Choose the size and model that matches your Flow Hive

        8 Frame Brood Boxes are compatible with 6 Frame Flow Hives.

        10 Frame Brood Boxes are compatible with 7 Frame Flow Hives.

        If you need assistance in understanding which model Flow Hive you have, please contact support.

        Bee suits are designed to be worn slightly baggy over your normal clothing, so it’s best to choose a slightly larger size than you would normally wear.

        Be sure to give yourself plenty of room to move around with additional length for movement – ankles and wrists need to remain covered when you’re crouching, bending or stretching.

        You do not want the suit to be tight fitting – it’s this loose fitting material that offers sting prevention.

        If in doubt or between sizes, go up to the next size:

        Height (cm) Weight (kg)
        50 56 62 68 74 80 86 92 98 104 110
        145 - 150 2XS 2XS XS S
        150 - 155 2XS 2XS XS S S M M M
        155 - 160 2XS 2XS XS S S M M M L
        160 - 166 XS XS XS S M M M L XL XL
        166 - 171 XS S S M M L L L XL XL 2XL
        171 - 176 M M M M L L L L XL 2XL 2XL
        176 - 181 L L L L L L XL XL 2XL 2XL 3XL
        181 - 186 L L L L XL XL XL 2XL 3XL 4XL
        186 - 191 L L L XL XL XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL
        191 - 197 XL XL XL 2XL 2XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL
        197 - 204 2XL 2XL 2XL 3XL 3XL 4XL 5XL 5XL
        Height (feet) Weight (lbs)
        110 123 137 150 163 176 190 203 216 229 243
        4'9" - 4'11" 2XS 2XS XS S
        4'11" - 5'1" 2XS 2XS XS S S M M M
        5'1" - 5'3" 2XS 2XS XS S S M M M L
        5'3" - 5'5" XS XS XS S M M M L XL XL
        5'5" - 5'7" XS S S M M L L L XL XL 2XL
        5'7" - 5'9" M M M M L L L L XL 2XL 2XL
        5'9" - 5'11" L L L L L L XL XL 2XL 2XL 3XL
        5'11" - 6'1" L L L L XL XL XL 2XL 3XL 4XL
        6'1" - 6'3" L L L XL XL XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL
        6'3" - 6'5" XL XL XL 2XL 2XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL
        6'5" - 6' 7" 2XL 2XL 2XL 3XL 3XL 4XL 5XL 5XL

        Your bundle will ship when all items in order are in stock, please check below for any for any possible delays.

        Hive

        Flow Hive 2 - 6 Frames – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Hive 2 - 7 Frames – Dispatches in 1-2 working days


        Bee Suit

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 2XS – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - XS – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - S – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - M – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - L – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 2XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 3XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 4XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days

        Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 5XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days


        Flow Smoker

        Flow Smoker – Dispatches in 1-2 working days