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

Описание: 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.
https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/flowhiv...

Titebond III wood blue, it's the only wood glue I use on exterior projects:
https://amzn.to/45oa379

Double Bubble is the most versatile bee hive insulation material that I have found anywhere. Improves wintering and high heat conditions:
https://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.
https://amzn.to/3QxTVvG

Best Winter Survival Emergency Ration I've found anywhere - Hive Alive Fondant. Learn more about that here: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/hiveali...

Acid Brush for applying your wood glue. You can rinse them in hot water and use over and over again.
https://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.
https://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