Caring For Your Flow Frames - Flow Hive Instruction Manual

8

CARING FOR YOUR FLOW FRAMES

Cleaning and frame maintenance – on the hive
Inspect the honey trough at the bottom of the frame prior to harvest. We have
designed the honey trough so that any leaked or residual honey can drip back
into the hive for the bees to use. If the honey leak-back gap remains clear this
works well; however, if the bees block it up some honey may remain in the
honey trough after harvest. Clear the leak-back gap prior to harvest and during
regular inspections by twisting the cap or honey tube back and forth in the
honey trough opening.
If necessary, the honey trough can be cleaned prior to harvest from outside the
hive using a long-handled bottle brush or even a long strip of cloth wrapped
around the Flow Key handle.
Preparing Flow Frames for storage
In our experience, the Flow Frames do not require cleaning if they stay within
the hive. The bees do a great job of this. However, if you remove your Flow
Frames for storage it is a good idea to at least clean off the honey. You can do
this using warm water (maximum 65°C/150°F). Set the Flow cells to the 'open'
position. This allows the water to flow easily through all parts of the frame.
Allow to dry thoroughly before storing.
It is not necessary to remove propolis and wax prior to storage. To avoid wax
moth damage to the drawn wax comb, frames can be frozen for 48 hours to kill
eggs and larvae prior to storage in sealed containers.
If you are storing your Flow Frames for any length of time outside the hive,
ensure they are kept away from the light as the Flow Frames are UV sensitive.
Store the frames in a cool, dry, dark location.
To discuss cleaning and maintenance of the Flow Frames join the conversation
at forum.honeyflow.com
Sterilisation
There are some diseases, such as American foulbrood, that require sterilisation
of equipment. One method of sterilisation is irradiation. Please refer to our
website for technical specifications on this. High or repeat doses of gamma
irradiation will damage your Flow Frames.
For more information on sterilisation options please visit the FAQs at
www.honeyflow.com/faqs
15