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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: adamant on March 26, 2012, 09:01:42 PM

Title: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: adamant on March 26, 2012, 09:01:42 PM
i am getting a 3 lb. package this week and need to thing of a way to feed the bees . the nucs that i made only have a 1" entrance and the bottom board is not removable. i was thinking that a hole drilled in the nuc lid the size of the soda bottle cap and drill some holes in the cap would work.. what do u think?
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: Robo on March 26, 2012, 09:24:09 PM
Plastic bottles tend to pump the syrup with changes in temperature.  Your better off to put a glass or metal can on top of the frames and put an empty nuc box around it.
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: AllenF on March 26, 2012, 09:32:37 PM
They work same as a glass jar feeder.   Keep them out of the sun. 
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: adamant on March 26, 2012, 09:44:31 PM
Quote from: Robo on March 26, 2012, 09:24:09 PM
Plastic bottles tend to pump the syrup with changes in temperature.  Your better off to put a glass or metal can on top of the frames and put an empty nuc box around it.

robo ; what are my options if i dont have a empty nuc box? all mine are made up and nailed.
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: adamant on March 26, 2012, 09:46:55 PM
is there a way to put a glass jar feeder on the lid? what do i do ? drill a hole in the wooden lid the size of the glass jar lid?
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: Robo on March 26, 2012, 09:48:52 PM
Quote from: AllenF on March 26, 2012, 09:32:37 PM
They work same as a glass jar feeder.   Keep them out of the sun. 

Maybe in the South, but the normal night/day temperature here in the Northeast cause them to pump out the syrup this time of year.
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: Robo on March 26, 2012, 09:55:05 PM
Quote from: adamant on March 26, 2012, 09:46:55 PM
is there a way to put a glass jar feeder on the lid? what do i do ? drill a hole in the wooden lid the size of the glass jar lid?

That works,  I have quite a nucs with ~2-1/2" holes cut for mason jar lids.   When not feeding, I just leave a lid in the hole.   They will propolize the holes so rain doesn't get in.

Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: G3farms on March 26, 2012, 10:43:33 PM
If you have the dcoates nucs just take another one and turn it upside down on top of the lid with your feeder on it.
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: loumaro on March 26, 2012, 11:52:47 PM
It makes no diference if you use plastic or glass, its the air volume inside the bottle that causes the trouble . It expands and contracts with temp. changes.
Keeping the container full and shaded is the best thing you can do. Try to keep the air volume inside as small as possible(keep them full) and keep the temprature as constant as possible(insulate the bottle).
Louie
Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: G3farms on March 27, 2012, 07:32:17 AM
The big thing about the pop bottle is that the lid is so small that there can not be many bees feeding at one time, so when they are taking is slowly compared to a quart jar you might know why.

Title: Re: soda bottles as a feeder on a nuc
Post by: adamant on March 27, 2012, 07:55:14 AM
Quote from: G3farms on March 26, 2012, 10:43:33 PM
If you have the dcoates nucs just take another one and turn it upside down on top of the lid with your feeder on it.

u are the man... i never thought of that.. :lol: