I'm playing around with making an feeder from a gallon ice cream plastic bucket with tape around the outside of the lid ,to help form a vacunm inside. I have drilled a hole with the smallest drill bitI have,to see how much leakage . I know I could just order a feeder from a company .However ,I need to keep my mind active.
Have any of you tried this? I thought about a milk jug but ,deceided that would be too flimsly.
As for feeding anyone use light corn syurp and what ratio?
Quote from: jimmy on September 12, 2008, 09:48:56 PM
I'm playing around with making an feeder from a gallon ice cream plastic bucket with tape around the outside of the lid ,to help form a vacunm inside. I have drilled a hole with the smallest drill bitI have,to see how much leakage . I know I could just order a feeder from a company .However ,I need to keep my mind active.
Have any of you tried this? I thought about a milk jug but ,deceided that would be too flimsly.
As for feeding anyone use light corn syurp and what ratio?
You'll learn a lot from the experience. I still use clean 1 gallon paint cans I can buy at the hardware store for $1.99 each. I've been beekeeping for 50 years and was introduced to the can feeder my 1st summer. I haven't found anything better yet, and I've tried everything on the market and then some.
A leaky feeder can kill a hive. I'd test it thoroughly for leaks before putting into use.
I tried the ice-cream pails one gallon size -they dont work the expansion and contraction from temp changes at night made them lose vacuum and they leaked -unreliable to say the least RDY-B
>I still use clean 1 gallon paint cans I can buy at the hardware store for $1.99 each.
Any pictures or details including hive top used?
Quote from: sc-bee on September 14, 2008, 11:22:09 PM
>I still use clean 1 gallon paint cans I can buy at the hardware store for $1.99 each.
Any pictures or details including hive top used?
I put about a dozen or so holes in the lid, punched from the inside of the lid. I use a 4d nail and tap it just enough to leave a 4sided triangular hole that is barely open on the end. Too many holes will make the it leak a little too much before the vacuum is created. Space them more or less evenly around the top. That way the bees can feed one per access hole and they can drain a gallon of warm syrup in a couple of hours if they're in real need.
My hive tops are inverted solid bottom boards which makes for ventilation and a top entrance if the bees want it, I do use an entrance reducer on them though.
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on September 13, 2008, 02:18:51 AM
Quote from: jimmy on September 12, 2008, 09:48:56 PM
I'm playing around with making an feeder from a gallon ice cream plastic bucket with tape around the outside of the lid ,to help form a vacunm inside. I have drilled a hole with the smallest drill bitI have,to see how much leakage . I know I could just order a feeder from a company .However ,I need to keep my mind active.
Have any of you tried this? I thought about a milk jug but ,deceided that would be too flimsly.
As for feeding anyone use light corn syurp and what ratio?
You'll learn a lot from the experience. I still use clean 1 gallon paint cans I can buy at the hardware store for $1.99 each. I've been beekeeping for 50 years and was introduced to the can feeder my 1st summer. I haven't found anything better yet, and I've tried everything on the market and then some.
gallon paint cans with lids are 4.23 here in the local hardware store and 4.67 at HD.
Two (2) gallon icing pails with lids work well.
But you have to have the right specific lid for the brand of bucket (there are different types).
These are already food grade and often have a gasket in the lid.
Provided the lid is on tight, they leak very little.
When inverting, a little squeeze on the bucket as you flip it helps establish a vacuum.
The hold a fair amount at a reasonable weight (and they have a handle).
The price can be right too.
Some bakeries will give them too you (wink and smile, it helps).
Others charge $1-$1½ each.
I try to position the buckets inside the hive (on the tap bars or an inner cover).
This minimizes temperature differences (as heat rises).
Some extra newspaper or rags help to keep heat in the cluster and the bottome edge of the bucket.
I punch about 12 holes in the plastic lid with a very hot sewing needle held by plyers.
(No TWT I don't know how to sew, and I don't know what a man is doing with sewing needle.)
Avoid black buckets or placement in direct sunlight, both will cause leaks and/or temp issues.