The FlowHive 2 IPM and Honey Production SUPERSTAR
I've had every FlowHive since they were made available in North America. From flow supers, to 10 frame flowhives and the 8 frame (six flowframe) FH2 is my favorite design of them all.
The integrated pest management tray with aluminum bottom board insert is proving to be an excellent varroa trap as well as collecting the small hive beetles while keeping them well away from the colony and brood after dropping through the bottom.
Fit and finish of the entire system is nearly FLAWLESS, perfect cuts, nice alignment and just beautiful to see in the apiary.
The Hive Top side screws held the lid on during 45 mile per hour wind gusts.
The leveling system makes set up a snap and no guess work regarding critical left to right leveling and perfect for tilting back for flow-frame honey draining when the time is right.
Only one tiny improvement could be made - the 6 frame (8 frame langstrogh) FlowHive two does not have enough space to fit a rapid-round feeder under the roof. If the roof had side rails that lifted it just one more inch, it would be absolutely PERFECT!
My honeybees made it through a very harsh winter in the FlowHive2 and I am very VERY pleased with the design and practical features.
I definitely recommend this, as well as the other designs, to every beekeeper from beginner to well-seasoned managers.
My favorite hive by far.