![]() ![]() This is where the name “hybrid” comes in. It’s the most affordable option, and it allows you to use flow frames or let the bees build their own comb. We recommend the flow hive hybrid because it gives you the biggest bang for your buck. ![]() Related: What Does a Queen Bee Look Like? Which Flow Hive Should I Get? ![]() Now let’s move on to the million-dollar question… I recommend beginning by reading this beekeeping book. I learned so much that I would’ve missed if I had blindly jumped into the hobby. I was a much better beginner beekeeper because of it. During that time, I read beekeeping books and articles and watched beekeepers on YouTube. I waited a year before becoming a beekeeper. You’re not only saving yourself time, but you’re saving yourself tons of money on beekeeping equipment. You read a book or take a course and decide beekeeping isn’t for you. If you’re new to beekeeping, you should learn as much as you can about the hobby before investing your time and money into it. That’s why there are entire courses and books on beekeeping. It’s fun and rewarding.īut it also takes time, patience, and commitment.Īnd there’s a lot to learn. They find bees fascinating, love helping the environment, and enjoy the honey. ![]() If you ask any beekeeper you know, they’ll give you a million reasons why they love keeping bees. Certain people will be lazy no matter what type of hive they buy.īut, finding a more efficient way of harvesting honey doesn’t make someone lazy. In fact, in the marketing videos for the flow hive, they remind you that you’ll still have to inspect and maintain your hive.īeekeeping is a lot of fun. People say it promotes “lazy beekeeping.”Īnd to be frank, it isn’t fair to the flow hive. This isn’t the case.īecause this is one of the biggest criticisms of the flow hive. They buy a flow hive assuming they can just “set it and forget it” then collect honey a few months later. You’ll still have to inspect your hives, monitor for diseases, deal with pests, make splits, re-queen when necessary, add supers, lift heavy boxes, etc.Īnd this is where beginners run into trouble. The main benefit of the flow hive is that you’ll save time and labor when harvesting honey. The One Thing You Should Know Before Buying a Flow Hive Image Credit: Honey Flow If you’re serious about beekeeping and want to simplify the honey harvesting process, then the flow hive is worth it. It’s also a less invasive way of harvesting honey because you don’t have to open the hive to collect it. This saves you several days worth of work. You simply turn the key and let the honey flow into your container. If you’ve ever harvested honey the traditional way, then you’ll appreciate the flow hive method. This isn’t a dealbreaker for some, but it’s worth mentioning. You can’t harvest wax from the beehive while using the flow method.With that said, the bees will be more likely to use the plastic frames if you brush beeswax on them. This is especially true if you’re unsure whether you’ll stick with beekeeping. Spending this much money on a hive isn’t always practical for beginners. Depending on which flow hive you get, you’ll spend between $500 – $1,000. In this case, the flow hive might not be worth the investment. And sometimes, you may not be able to harvest honey at all since your main priority will be helping your bees survive the winter. If you live in a climate with harsh winters, you may only be able to harvest honey once per year. The flow hive may not be ideal for colder climates.This helps you see how fast your bees are refilling the frames. It’s pure honey that’s ready to be enjoyed. Honey from the flow hive contains very little wax, pollen, or bee parts. You don’t have to open the hive to collect the honey, so you’re not disturbing the colony. Honey harvesting is less invasive for the bees.You just turn the key, and the honey pours out. The flow method makes things fast, easy, and much cleaner. It’s labor-intensive and can take several days, depending on how many hives you have. The traditional way of harvesting honey is one of the hardest parts of beekeeping. You’ll save time and effort harvesting honey. ![]()
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