Are your frames ready for harvest? It’s important to ensure your Flow Frames are full and capped before harvesting, otherwise your honey may ferment if the moisture content is too high.
Make sure you’re set up for success: When it’s harvest time in your apiary, read through our harvesting checklist to ensure you’ve got the optimal set-up for easy honey harvesting.
Do you have enough jars? Each Flow Frame holds approximately 6.5 lb (3 kg) of unprocessed honey, this can increase if the bees really build-out each frame. Bee prepared with extra jars in case your first one overflows!
If temperatures are typically over 85ºF/30ºC or if humidity is high in your area, you may need to offer your bees a little support so they can retain their optimal hive temperature. The ventilation controls on our Flow Hive 2 are really handy for this! If you have a Classic model, make sure the corflute slider is in the lower position or removed completely.
Ensure your bees have a nearby water source – but don’t make it too deep, bees aren’t good swimmers! Try to ensure your hive has shade during the hottest part of the day. Here are some tips on how to create a water station for your bees.
At this time of year you might see your bees gathered in large numbers on the front of the hive. If the temperature is hot, they are probably bearding, however, it is still possible to get some late season swarms.
Bearding is yet another fascinating behaviour, where bees fan their wings to maintain the perfect temperature inside the hive.
If your hive is bearding, you may like to ask yourself two questions; 1. Is there enough room in the hive for the expanding colony? And, 2. Could they be preparing to swarm? A simple hive inspection will assist with this – look out for peanut-shaped queen cells that indicate a late season swarm.
If your hive is too full, or you want to ensure your bees will have enough stores to get through the leaner months ahead, this could be the right time to give them more space by adding a second brood box.
Our Flow Hive bundle comes with everything you need including essential safety gear, PLUS an incredible saving.
Featuring a Flow Hive, an organic beekeeper’s suit, stainless steel smoker, goatskin gloves, J-Hive tool, Flow Veil and a sweet saving!