just plain sugar

[bill]

I have read a lot on here about feeding syrup, but every time I tried to do it, it ended up leaking out. I changed my syrup feeder that was to go in a super over the hive. to entry way feeder and with several formulations of syrup starting to thin then gwetting thicker until it was thicker than honey. but it still made a puddle on the ground to feed the ants. I have just about geven up on that kind of feeder, and was thinking of trying to build a miller type feeder for next winter. but I have been thinking I might be able to just feed plain sugar somehow. Is that possible I think I read about it somewhere or even candy any way except those leaking jars could I get you guys to comment on the Idea.

[Apis629]

When ever there is a complete darth of nectar honeybees will accept granulated sugar poured into the hive.  If you hive has a solid bottom board the sugar will collect there and the bees will take it.  Once a nectar flow gets started, however, the bees will through the sugar out the hive like trash.

[bill]

well I have good nectar flow right now but I was actually talking about going into the winter, and I have some Nucs but they probably would rather have nectar. I is really a question about wintering, We only have about three months of winter and many days when they are flying during that. My main hive still had several frames of capped honey at the end of the winter

[SherryL]

This is one of the two styles I use.  It's shaped like an anglefood cake pan, the bees climb up the center and then down to get the sugar water, there's a cap over the center so they don't drowned.  The website is www.beeworks.com, under Apiary Supplies.  Definitely won't leak.


Rapid Feeder
Cat. No. RPDF $9.15

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Rapid Hive top feeder. The ideal internal feeder, placed on top of the inner cover allowing the bees free access. Feeds a quantity of sugar syrup without drowning bees.

[Jerrymac]

Bill,

You might not have that problem with the jars in the winter weather. I have decided it is the thirty to forty degree temperature (day/night) changes we have around here that makes the jars breath.