Two beekeepers in Australia, Cedar Anderson and Stuart Anderson, have invented a new sort of hive that could revolutionize Beekeeping traditional methods. They have invented the FLOWHive, a special hive that can put your honey “on tap” directly from your hive box. It’s main benefit being that it can pour honey out of the combs without upsetting the bees. The FLOWhive contains special inserts that will fit into normal hives or, if you get the whole FLOWhive system, you will have their special wooden outer box complete with windows and access points that will ensure you know exactly when to harvest the honey and have a full supply as soon as it is ready to go.
There are a lot of skeptics in their beekeeping community who say it is unlikely to work without a lot of mess and cleanup needed. Some comment in the beekeeping forums that they would rather wait and see before jumping to buy this sort of invention.
The key to the system is a special imitation of the traditional comb that splits apart when you turn the tap on the back of the hive. The inventors say that they can get their honey without the bees even noticing that they are there. The stress on the bees is greatly reduced and the work of harvesting honey is made super easy and simple.
The video on you tube shows an appealing looking box with two spouts on the back that literally pour the honey out like beer on tap. The rest of the requirements of beekeeping apply as per usual; it is only the method of harvesting that is affected. So beginner beekeepers will still need to learn all the basics of maintaining a healthy hive. It’s a wonder that this hasn’t already been invented years ago!
The Andersons are putting their invention on Indiegogo on Feb 23 2015 and hope that people with support them in their quest to build a manufacturing production line for their FLOWhive to be shipped around the world. They ask that you go to their Facebook page and watch the video and click “like” if you like their idea. The buzz needs to get out there – if this invention works as claimed then I will be in line to get one for sure. It’s a great idea and worth checking out. They have a video that shows their hive in action and also a website with a FAQ to answer all the basic questions about the different configurations of their products. It is homey yet professional and I am sure if they are successful with their Indiegogo crowd funding they will be on the road to a business boon for beekeeping. They have over 88 thousand likes on their facebook page already so it seems the support is likely to be there. Who wouldn’t want fresh honey on tap?
