Feeding Bees, How to make a hive top feeder...

DayValleyDahlias · September 03, 2007, 08:34:53 PM

There is a hole on the middle of the migratory cover, where the feeder goes...what doI use, and how do I make it?

1,000 Thanks

Michael Bush · September 03, 2007, 09:01:50 PM

That depends on the size of the hole. Many are the size of the lid of a one litre pop bottle and you put a couple of very small holes in the lid of one and use it for a feeder. Some are the size of a mason jar and you put some holes in the lid of a mason jar and use that for a feeder, or you put something over it with some holes in that area.

Robo · September 03, 2007, 09:55:59 PM

OOOPS, just re-read you post and see you have migratory covers. I'll leave this here for others that may be interested.

1. Go to your local deli and "acquire" a 1 gallon GLASS pickle jar.

2. Use a small nail or 1/16" drill bit and put 4-6 holes in the cap.
3. Fill it with syrup.
4. Invert it over the hole in the inner cover. (picture shows quart jar)

5. Put an empty deep super on top of inner cover. (picture show vent box, but deep super fits perfect with gallon jar.)

6. Put cover over deep.

Advantages of a jar feeder over a top feeder is that you have no bees drowning, no ant issues, and more importantly, bees can feed night and day regardless of temperature. AND... they are free :-D

randydrivesabus · September 03, 2007, 10:07:31 PM

if only it were that easy to feed kids.

DayValleyDahlias · September 04, 2007, 12:01:29 AM

When I looked at the web site of the apiary I bought my nuc from, it looks as though they use can...hhhmmm

DayValleyDahlias · September 04, 2007, 12:05:14 AM

I am MISTAKEN...I see a hive top feeder is something very different than Iam thinking of...I was thinking about the container that sits atop the cover, over the hole whicj is about the size of a 50 cent piece...remember those?

hooyaman · September 19, 2007, 10:51:46 PM

this is a very cool site. im new here and i love it. a lot of nice people. i was looking in mann lakes catalog today and saw a top feeder insert that fits inside of a super. its made of plastic and isnt very expensive. check it out.

Michael Bush · September 20, 2007, 12:36:12 AM

Any solid bottom board can be easily converted into a feeder:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm

TwT · September 20, 2007, 12:42:51 AM

I dont like that design MB, looks like too many can drown in that set up, it is something to use though if you needed one...

annette · September 20, 2007, 06:49:03 PM

Quote from: hooyaman on September 19, 2007, 10:51:46 PM
this is a very cool site. im new here and i love it. a lot of nice people. i was looking in mann lakes catalog today and saw a top feeder insert that fits inside of a super. its made of plastic and isnt very expensive. check it out.

Yes, I have 2 of these feeders and I like them because you can place lots of syrup in at once and not have to worry so much. It will last for days. The drawback to this design is lots of bees drown in them unless you either duct tape around the bottom of the screen or place a float in the water for the bees to stand on. I have duct taped them and it worked like a charm and no more drowned bees. But also at Mann Lake I purchased some frames to cut to size to use as floats in the water. This way I would just remove the screen all together and have the bees come up through the center and stand on the floats in the syrup.

Annette

Dubhe · September 20, 2007, 07:51:51 PM

I've got a couple of hive top feeders from Betterbee, & it seems to work pretty well until the syrup gets low & then they manage to get under the screen & drown by the dozens. Anette, is this the type that you've modified?

betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=1709

annette · September 20, 2007, 08:28:31 PM

The ones I have are from Mann Lake. I have not yet tried the floats,but it sounds like bees may drown even with that set up. I will just stick to Duct taping the screens down and then it works fine.

Annette

Michael Bush · September 21, 2007, 08:10:49 AM

>I dont like that design MB, looks like too many can drown in that set up, it is something to use though if you needed one...

Seems like too many drown with any feeder. Frame feeders are the most popular and the worst.

The nicest thing about the bottom feeder is it only costs about $0.50 and if you already have it on the hive, then you already have a feeder.

I am considering building floats, but I have not yet.

Dubhe · September 21, 2007, 02:02:33 PM

My bees, who haven't touched a drop of syrup since Spring, are now downing it by the gallon. I've also noticed a change in their behavior. Where before they hardly ever loitered around the house, they're now everywhere, following us like little puppy dogs. We're enjoying the company, but I'm not sure if the neighbors are gonna feel the same way. Is this normal when feeding syrup?

Robo · September 21, 2007, 03:32:54 PM

Dubhe,

You should update your profile so we know where you are from.

What you describe sounds normal for Fall when the nectar sources start drying up, not necessarily from feeding sugar.

We went thru that a couple of weeks ago, but had a nice rain storm last weekend and now have a flow again. Finally, the "wonderfully acquired" smell of thickening blue strife and golden rod honey abounds my yard.

KONASDAD · September 21, 2007, 05:25:23 PM

Duct tape the Mann Lake ones up and I also put on the super top weather stripping which I replace periodically since the bees remove it. This stops the bees from getting in from the outside. I have two, and just ordered two top feeders from betterbee since i was getting some other hardware and wanted to avoid extra shipping. I'll see how they work.

Dont like bottles, they lose vacuum in temp changes too easily

Zip-lock bags- work awesome, but dont hold enough for big hives, but no bees die and are great for nucs

Board feeders- dont hold enough, bees drown, and you have to open hive every time , unstick floats, shoo out the bees scavenging etcetcetc

annette · September 21, 2007, 05:32:44 PM

Konasdad,

Let me know how you like the new feeders, as I know we both have the Mann Lake ones. I am pretty happy with the Mann Lake ones since you told me about the duct tape

Thanks
Annette

Brian D. Bray · September 21, 2007, 10:53:03 PM

I've never found anything that beats a 1 gallon paint can for a feeder, second choice is a 1 gallon jar.

Robo · September 27, 2007, 01:00:07 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on September 21, 2007, 10:53:03 PM
I've never found anything that beats a 1 gallon paint can for a feeder, second choice is a 1 gallon jar.

I'm with Brian, except I prefer the jar.

Here are my thoughts on the feeder types -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/feeder-compare/

Brian D. Bray · September 27, 2007, 10:05:33 PM

Robo:

Good explanation on feeding alternatives. The reason I prefer the paint can is that it will seal better if properly seated, it can be painted on the outside to prevent rusting, and you can buy new unused (mixing) cans at most paint supply outlets. The cans I buy at my local Ace Hardware for $1.99 each is cheaper than a boardman feeder and is teflon coated inside. With jars I've found that the apllied sealing ring can pit or become detached making the feeder leaky.

Also if You are feeding selected hives in your beeyard I've found that setting out a community can feeder will reduce the robbing from those hives getting individual attention. Especially helpful when using boardman feeders. All the hives will feed at the community can, including the ones being feed directly, and so robbing is only an issue in regards to Yellow Jackets or Hornets.