Just thought I would share this..
I have been using division board feeders. They have a solid cover, and then two a mesh screen "tubes" that are supposed to prevent bees from drowning. Ha Ha. Had I known, I may have bought different feeders, but now I don't want to just toss what I have...
So- I cut small squares of wood block to put into each hole- like a float. I guess you could use cork or styrofoam too. Anyway- since then, I have had very few drowned bees, and it makes it easy to see how full the feeder is, because you can see the "float" right away.
Hope this comes in handy to anyone else with the same issue. Was a cheap, easy fix to a really frustrating problem :)
I have very few drownings with mine. Good idea though.
I converted two of mine old ones that was open all the way
I had several extra cricket buckets. The wire is just right.
Just cut two pieces of wood and left about 4 inches open in the middle. Made a cone from the cricket wire the depth of the feeder and tacked it to the wood. :)doak
Will try to post a pic.
(http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/940/picture004wlz.th.jpg) (http://img141.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004wlz.jpg)
If this worked the wide is the one I re did. :)doak
doak do you pull your feeder every time you feed ? Or do you just pour in to the screened hole ?
Doak, your picture loaded up beautifully and you have done a fine job of the work on the float for the inner feeder. I presume that the float goes down as the sugar syrup is drained, great job. I have used inner feeders and do like them and don't like them. I don't like the room they take up in the colony, I don't like that they have to be removed when feeding is done, I don't like it when the bees drown. I think that without any kind of floater the bees drown alot. I usually put hunks of paint stirrers in, but they are a nuisance. I like to use baggie feeders, I find that the best for my situations. Anyways, if I should ever use the inner feeders again, and I may, I may not, on the wall with that one, I would construct an apparatus, EXACLY as you have made. I think with the heavier wood that you used as well, the apparatus would not "stick" to the walls, like I have had the paint stirrers do. Good. Have that wonderful, most great day, to love and live, and share, health. Cindi