How does foundation work in a Flow Hive? Revolutionizing Beekeeping with Pre-Built Comb

The Flow Hive revolutionizes traditional beekeeping by eliminating the need for bees to build comb in honey supers, thanks to its pre-built plastic honeycomb system in Flow frames. This design allows honey to be harvested directly through a split-cell mechanism without disturbing the bees or requiring manual extraction. Foundation decisions are only necessary for brood boxes, where bees still need guidance to build comb for brood rearing. The system prioritizes bee health and beekeeper convenience through innovative engineering while maintaining compatibility with standard Langstroth dimensions.

Key Points Explained:

1. Pre-Built Plastic Honeycomb in Flow Frames

   • Unlike traditional hives where bees construct wax comb in every frame, Flow Hive's honey supers contain injection-molded plastic hexagonal cells
   • This eliminates the bees' need to expend energy building wax comb in the honey storage area
   • The plastic cells are precisely engineered to split open during harvesting while remaining durable for repeated use

2. Foundation-Free Honey Production

   • No foundation is required in Flow frames, as the entire comb structure is pre-formed
   • Bees simply fill the existing plastic cells with honey and cap them as they would with natural wax comb
   • This represents a significant departure from conventional beekeeping where foundation guides comb construction

3. Brood Box Foundation Requirements

   • Traditional foundation choices still apply to brood boxes (beeswax, wired wax, or plastic)
   • Beekeepers must select appropriate foundation for brood frames since bees need to build natural comb for rearing young
   • The foundation provides structural support and proper cell spacing for healthy brood development

4. Split-Cell Harvesting Mechanism

   • The patented design allows cells to separate vertically when the Flow Key is turned
   • Honey flows downward through channels formed by the split cells, exiting through a spout
   • After harvesting, cells automatically reset to their original position when the key is returned

5. Advantages Over Traditional Systems

   • Dramatically reduces hive disturbance during harvest (no smoke, no frame removal)
   • Minimizes equipment needs (no extractors, uncapping tools, or filters required)
   • Preserves comb structure, allowing bees to reuse cells immediately after harvesting

Have you considered how this innovation changes the energy economics of a bee colony? By eliminating wax production in honey supers, bees can redirect that energy toward honey production or colony health. The system demonstrates how thoughtful engineering can create solutions benefiting both pollinators and their keepers—technologies that quietly shape modern apiculture.

Summary Table:

Upgrade your apiary with Flow Hive technology—contact HONESTBEE today for wholesale inquiries on innovative beekeeping solutions!