I've place my bees in their hive this weekend and they'll be using a top feeder over the next few weeks, until things warm up around here.
I thought, I'd also try a simple boardman? style feeder to see how it works. I'm not currently depending on it for anything , I just was curious to see if I could use it for providing water during during the summer months. If it doesn't work, it's not a problem. There is a stream close by.
Here's my problem. I've tried punching small holes in the lid of a mason jar to be used with the feeder. I've tried small nails, I've tried sewing neetles, and just about everything I could imagine to make the "right size" holes. Simple task, right? Nope. The darn lid either streams out water or doesn't pass any water at all. Any ideas on how to make the right size hole in the lid to allow droplets to form, but not leak water?
I told myself this can't be so hard. Well, I've gone thru 1/2 dozen lids and I still can't find the right "implement" to make the hole size required. There must be some secret method to making the right size holes.
An ideas? This is very humbling. (And I'm running out of lids.)
Regards,
Tucker 1
A small nail should work fine. You don't want any leak at all. The bees will stick their tongue in to get the syrup. The lids have to be on tight enough to make a seal or they will all leak. Vacuum is what holds the syrup in.
It shouldn't pass any at all. That's the right size hole.