Flow Hive Modification for cold climates. Turn a brood box into a medium super, and feeder shim.

Flow does not sell medium supers, in this video I show you how to make medium supers as well as how to modify your hive for winter conditions.
This modification will work on any Langstroth Hive.
What you need:
1) Bottom board (adjustable legs are optional, but they have ant guards).
2) Entrance reducer, small wooden wedges that help your starter colony defend itself from robbing and predators.
3) Deep Brood Box, this is the only box you will use when starting your hive.
4) 2nd Deep Brood Box that will be cut down, leaving you with a medium super and a feeder shim that can accommodate feeders under the gabled roof.
5) Insulation, Double-Bubble, or Reflectex cuts easily, fits any space, works best with air-gaps between the sheets. On top of the inner cover, cut a hole to match the hole already in the inner cover. Place Rapid Round Feeder on top of the first layer of insulation. Fondant can be placed on that spot instead of a rapid round during winter. Place two more layers on top of the feeder or fondant. GLUE a single layer on the interior of the gabled roof. I use Titebond III and just paint it onto the interior surface and press the insulation in place. NOTE, cutting the edges just a little larger than they need to be will aid in press-fitting the insulation.
6) Inner cover (the inner cover is made of pine and is not ready for weather exposure, you'll need to paint or treat it. I recommend soaking it in Eco-Wood.
7) Exterior finish. The cedar version is already weather resistant, but you can improve that by dipping every part in Eco-Wood after you've assembled and glued all of the parts together.
8) Flow-Super. The flow super will likely go on your hive during the second year unless your colony is extremely productive and has filled the entire medium super first.
Links to all items used in this video:
Some of them are affiliate links, if you do not with to support this channel by using affiliate links, you may also simply do a google search for items.
Buying a Flow-Hive? This page will provide a DISCOUNT link. Using the link gives you a discount and provides me with a credit that I can use toward my future Flow-Hive equipment. Thank you for that.
www.fredsfinefowl.com/flowhiv...
Titebond III wood blue, it's the only wood glue I use on exterior projects:
amzn.to/45oa379
Double Bubble is the most versatile bee hive insulation material that I have found anywhere. Improves wintering and high heat conditions:
amzn.to/3OUNZM5
Rapid Round Hive Top Feeder: You'll note that in the reviews, one of the top complaints is that it will not fit the "Flow-Hive". This is true, unless you modify your Flow Hive as described in this video.
amzn.to/3QxTVvG
Best Winter Survival Emergency Ration I've found anywhere - Hive Alive Fondant. Learn more about that here: www.fredsfinefowl.com/hiveali...
Acid Brush for applying your wood glue. You can rinse them in hot water and use over and over again.
amzn.to/3DWK8b8
Eco-Wood - Safe for bee hives, I use it on all of my exterior un-painted wood, including hives, stands, benches and more.
amzn.to/3DVwl4l
This will darken your wood, and produce changes in appearance with every rain cycle. It's great at preventing rot and mold, but does not stop all warping and end-splits. I do not recommend it for laminated wood such as plywood.
Please post a question if you think I've forgotten something. My goal is to help you get your bees through winter, in a hive that will prevent condensation from forming above that critical winter cluster.
Thank you for reading to this point, and for watching my videos.
Fred

[@LaNuvrisaDelMonteSoapShop]

Thanks so much!! From the mountains of New Mexico.

[@FrederickDunn]

You are very welcome, thanks for watching :)

[@CastleHives]

Great video explaining the process for folks Fred. Since my visit to your place, I have moved towards using the insulated inner covers and had a 91% survival. Appreciate the info as always. . And remember, if you have a cancellation on Sept 16th, Gregs place. LOL

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Brian! Thanks a lot! :) Greg is competing with a wedding. But I will certainly let you know if they break up :)

[@CastleHives]

@@FrederickDunn hahaha. .

[@kennith.]

Thank you for sharing Fred, another great display of your woodworking skills.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, Kennith :)

[@Calypso4me]

Thank Fred for the flow update... been waiting 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

You are very welcome, and I'm sorry it took me so long to do and post :)

[@robertmalis4493]

Great video as usual, Fred

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, Robert!

[@thegr8stm8]

Thanks Fred… all very clear… hope Cedar took notes… also hope he comes out with nucs 5 over 5 that linked 2 together can accommodate a Flow Super…or Ross Round super… just thinking… maybe there is a shim/skirt that can cover the joint to match Langstroth and Flow???

[@FrederickDunn]

I think those advancements will have to be left up to shade-tree craftsmen for now. I've been working on getting the medium supers and feeder shims added and that's a slow moving train for sure :)

[@dixsigns1717]

You have such an eye for aesthetics. You are blessed.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you :)

[@Steele_Wings]

Love your videos and cinematography. Reminds me of Mutual Omaha and Marlon Perkins.

[@FrederickDunn]

I loved that show! and I met Marlin Perkins and his wonderful wife in St. Louis back in the 70s. Very down to earth awesome guy :) it's an honor to be compared to him :)

[@edchen6298]

Hi Fred - great video. What adhesive did you use to adhere the double bubble to the inside of the gabled roof or is it just cut to fit?

[@FrederickDunn]

Titebond III. I just painted the wood glue onto the wood surface and pressed the double bubble onto that surface and it bonds nicely. :)

[@XxBloggs]

We get down to °C around here and Flow Hives work great. Interesting video Fred, thanks.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@Darren_Nicola]

Excellent video , gave me an idea now , As our medium is a different make but we have a new spare flow brood box so I’m going to cut it down and swap it out so it looks a better fit , thanks Fred 😀 ,

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad to get thinking down that road! Thanks, Darren.

[@jamestownsendjrtbees3226]

Nice set up Fred. What do you think about flipping that feeder shim and putting sugar bricks or fondant directly on the top bars? That's what I would do. I have found when it's cold they tend not to break cluster to climb up into a rapid round. Would the insulation still be effective?

[@FrederickDunn]

This is a great question, and I'll add it to my Friday Q&A as I think there are several options/answers. :) not so straight forward. Thanks, James :)

[@guesswho7787]

Thanks!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! :) I really appreciate it!

[@just_ledoux_it]

Hey Fred, I bought a flow deep and cut it down 3 inches to make it a flow medium, so it matches perfectly, but good idea with the extra 3 inch shim!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@Honey4myHoney-fv2wu]

No you insolate your observation hives 🐝in your shed 🕯🍯🫙 Another amazing video by the true artist Fred

[@FrederickDunn]

Those are hot-pockets :)

[@paulaballard5280]

Hi Fred! Thanks for the awesome video. So helpful. I have a question.. have you ever left your Flow Super on during winter? And if so did you take the Queen excluder out?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Paula, I've send an email to you on this topic. I also have a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3anmnmta8yre8Usi=TBY3on6H01HpJCHT

[@enricotoesca3941]

Hello Mister Frederik 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@FrederickDunn]

Hello, Enrico!

[@enricotoesca3941]

@@FrederickDunn Hello too Frederick 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@bradgoliphant]

This is great Frederick. Question. I have an eco wood treated pine hive. Would you insulated the hive with a wrap or could I get away with just insulating the top? Grateful.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Brad, here in my neck of the woods, insulating the inner and outer covers is all that I need assuming everything else is in good shape. Each zone will have its challenges and each winter will demonstrate if your bees are managing in the configuration you provide. But here, yes indeed.

[@bradgoliphant]

@@FrederickDunn this is great Frederick. Yes I insulate my inner cover with a shim and my lid with 2” styrofoam. I also Have completely closed off the bottoms of both flow hives. I think I’m good for winter. Thx as always.

[@francinekeane9900]

Hi Fred did you insulate all your Flow hives like this or do you recommend the bee smart insulated inner cover?

[@FrederickDunn]

50/50 at this point so I can make comparisons. This is going to be the second double-bubble winter. I'm pretty confident that starting in 2024, the gabled flow-roof systems will all be back on those hives as the double-bubble is looking promising.

[@ianleblanc6013]

Hi Fred, do you think that this same feeder shim ~3 inches high would be tall enough to fit a rapid feeder under the gabbled roof of a 8 frame flow hive? As it’s a smaller hive I wonder if I could fit a rapid feeder within the same configuration.

[@FrederickDunn]

The rapid round is 2" tall, so yes. If the diameter fits, then the depth will be fine.

[@guesswho7787]

Fred, awesome idea. I’ve been struggling to overwinter my Flow hives. One question though that I have is, why didn’t you use foam insulation around the feeder? Wouldn’t that increase the R-value even more?

[@FrederickDunn]

The double-bubble is enough insulation where I live, but you "could" insert 2" rigid insulateion and make a cutout for the rapid round.

[@sonofthunder.]

im about to use inner covers ,and attatch them to feed shims,on regular langstroth boxes,just about like what you did

[@FrederickDunn]

This really goes back to my feeder shims, they work really well and facilitate feeding if you ever need to do that.

[@sonofthunder.]

@@FrederickDunn yes i copied your old idea on that,they did work well,and even better with double bubble ,btw those flow hives look so good,and the gable roof,...my plan is to cut deeps into mediums,hoping to have enough left for a shim

[@Jack-es9xq]

I have frames that are only partially capped and have been that way for weeks now. It's been humid and I'm wondering if the bees simply won't cap the nectar until its' dried down to an acceptable level. I'd like to harvest honey and get on with mite treatments and this uncapped honey is a stumbling block. Suggestions???

[@FrederickDunn]

They may just not be finished filling the cells. You could use a treatment that's approves with supers on.

[@mmb_MeAndMyBees]

Hi. Until Fred Answers. . . Have you a % of Moisture Tool (called a Refractometer ?) Or old style : Hard Shake* flat a Honey Comb Frame : does it drip out Honey ?? If Honey is under 18%* even if its 'uncapped' it won't Ferment in your Honey Jars. (And shouldn't Drip either.* Best to Test true % with suggested Tool. 😉) If you still have awful Weather. A Dehumidifier and a Room Fan : Can be used say, in a Warm Room (Like a Glass Porch, or Conservatory or a Sunny Window, place, that gets some Sun on it. ) Take Super off Hive maybe another second Super Box too (box only) ideally Stack both so they are Crosswise so Corners have Airflow between lower and upper. Also raise bottom Box off its surface / Floor to aid Airflow more. Use a Mesh Floor, or add two pieces of Wood, like Linear Rails. Also by spacing say x5 Frames in one box, and the x5 or rest in other. Run the Dehumidifier and Fan : until Moisture is lowered "Wicked" away in this Setup. (Reduced.) Then re-check by either a hard Shake : if "No" Honey drips out of the Cells or Refractometer shows less than 18%. You can Store your Honey safely. Hope this helps. 😎 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2023 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Refractometer use. Lift the little Glass Flap. Add a Dot of Honey onto the Glass Surface. Lower and gentle press down on that Flap. Hold the Eye Piece to your Eye and look "Thru" the Device. You will see a Blue Background, an upright Numbered Scale showing a Cross Line at the "Moisture" %. Eg 29% is way to Watery almost Nectar ! And say 14% could almost be Set Solid Honey (like Oil Seed Rape / Canola / Heather Honey.) Get the idea. . . 😉

[@Jack-es9xq]

thanks for taking the time. next week looks warm and dry so I'll wait a bit longer. If not I like these suggestions@@mmb_MeAndMyBees

[@Jack-es9xq]

thanks Fred@@FrederickDunn

[@pmjjames3k657]

Quite an unrelated question here Fred. We’ve been receiving excessive and persistent rain where I am (UK). The bees have been stuck inside unfortunately and there seems to be a lack of resources anyway. I appreciate I have to feed the bees, but what’s the most suitable ratio for this time of year?

[@FrederickDunn]

light syrup is what I'd use. 1:1 or some recent studies have demonstrated that even lighter sugar may produce better results, so even a 1.2 (water) to sugar may be better. If it's a tiny colony that's trying to get started up, and you really wanted to go the extra yard you add a pollen patty. I don't personally do that, but extended rain is hard on brood production this time of year. Sugar syrup can prevent a rapid decline if they can't forage.

[@pmjjames3k657]

@@FrederickDunn, thanks a lot. This is very interesting as I was leaning towards 2:1 sugar:water (like an early Autumn feed if you will). I’ll give this a try. The bees I’m sure will appreciate your wisdom!

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope they do well :) @@pmjjames3k657

[@robertmathurin739]

🇱🇨👍🏼♥️

[@jonshelliebarnes448]

Tell me how well the sheets did with condensation.

[@FrederickDunn]

No condensation evidence over the cluster at all. We'll know more in spring.

[@jonshelliebarnes448]

It's now spring!!🌷 Please tell me how your insulated feeder shim did over the winter with the double bubble. Would you do anything different? I'm in zone 4 also.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@jonshelliebarnes448 I wouldn't change anything. So far it's worked very well.

[@jonshelliebarnes448]

Great to hear!!! Have you used the pink foam sheets in the flow hive or does double bubble seem adequate?

[@FrederickDunn]

@@jonshelliebarnes448 Double Bubble is all I'm using, I did place two extra sheets in the top under the outer cover loose. First time around, so we'll see what next winter brings our way.