Not Impressed with BoardmanFeeder

[DayValleyDahlias]

I made the syrup yesterday, put some drops of lemon grass oil in it...took the feeder to the hive...it didn't fit all the way intothe entrance, so I played around with it...got it to fit in enough so that it didn't tip or fall...noticed a tiny random drip frm one exterior corner...Bees did not seem the least bit interested...This am...only ting intered in the feeder...ants and yellow jackets...off it went...ugh

[mgmoore7]

I have had real good success with cutting a hole in the lid the size of a 1 quart jar and feeding directly from the top.  When not feeding, I just put a flat stone over the hive.  The only expense was the large hole saw.

[Kathyp]

i use the gallon feeder buckets over the inner cover hole.  if it's going to rain i put an extra super over it.  otherwise, i just set it on top.  i do put a little stick under the cover because i found that it sags a bit with the weight of the bucket.

[DayValleyDahlias]

I ordered a 2Gfeedingpail from Brushy..it came today...it will fit atop the hive...but the bees didn't seem interested in the syrup??

[TwT]

you probably have a flow going on now, that is when bee's dont tak syrup.....

[Michael Bush]

Keep the jar and lid and put it over the inner cover. Throw away the device that fits in the entrance. :)

[Bennettoid]

It tips backwards so that the syrup runs to a puddle inside the feeder away from the hive entrance. A little dripping at first is normal. If the bees aren't taking it, its as others said-- you have a flow going on.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Thanks for the great advice...I have no inner cover...migratory top...I don't think the jar would stand on it's own as it has a bit of a convex shape to it...but since the bees seemed disinterested...guess I will wait to put the feeder pail on top...I can't figure out where the flow would be from..everything here looks dried up, except maybe Australian Bottle Brush...hhhmmm oh well..the bees know

[shakerbeeman]

I use the migratory top also and have yet to determine how best to feed. The only perplexing thing I have found yet using the top entry. I have three hives close together. One has done really well and the other two are the result on one having split. I am considering open feeding. The Jay Smith feeder would be my first choice however I don't want to take off my SBB quite yet.

[Kathyp]

what about an inside frame feeder?  i have one and it works pretty well.  only drawback is having to open the hive to feed, but if you put it in the top box, it's not really an issue.  a few bees do drown in it, but i did not find the number to be excessive. 

[super dave]

i've been using fondant in a frame -- my bees love it -- does any one see any draw backs doing this

[Kirk-o]

My best results were using a 1 gallon Quail watering bottle set it on top of the frames and cover with a empty deep.Make sure the hive is level or it will run out.I got this bottle from McMurray Hatchery.
kirko

[BeeHopper]

Honeybee foragers are funny, they rather scurry past sugar water and fly 2 or more miles for real nectar. In a honey flow, they're connoisseurs, they go for the best, in a dearth, they turn into opportunists, at least that's what my bees do. They're still finding nectar   :-D

[shakerbeeman]

what about an inside frame feeder?  i have one and it works pretty well.  only drawback is having to open the hive to feed, but if you put it in the top box, it's not really an issue.  a few bees do drown in it, but i did not find the number to be excessive. 

This is a good suggestion. Perhaps my only choice. Think I will order three and they should arrive this coming week.

[Dr/B]

I take any old milk jug.  Cut it in half.  Fill with pine straw, then sugar water.  Place an empty deep on top and put the container in the empty deep, and cover.

Use lots of pine straw in container so they can climb out.  Seems to work fine.


8-)
Dr/B
(like I said.........I'm cheap)

[DayValleyDahlias]

Lots of variation on the theme...that's great...

[beeginner]

Take you a coffee can and in the lid make about 7 or 10 lil hole in it and get yourself a super with out any frames. Put the super on and then put the can on top of your frames. Thats the best way to feed them anf as you know put on the lid lol

[Cindi]

I use the plastic inner frame feeder, like Kathy does.  It is awesome, the syrup stays warm because it is right inside the brood box and holds almost a full gallon (four litres).  I put sticks inside it to float so the bees can stand on it.  Recently I have tried a new method, that is with puttting bubble wrap inside.  BUT...I think there may be a chance that the bees may chew it up and take it out of their hives.  We'll see. I am monitoring that.  When I put grass inside the inner feeder for tryout, the bees removed it.  I was amazed to watch two bees pulling this grass out through the front door and then when I opened up the hive to see two bees inside the inner feeder grabbing grass and flying away with it.  Got a picture of it and it looked pretty darn cool.  Have a wonderful day, best of our beautiful life.  Cindi

[annette]

Cindi
What an amazing photo you have taken. To Cool!!!!

Do you keep your camera with you always when you go to visit the bees??? This is another reason I guess not to wear gloves because it makes it easier to take photos when you want to.

Have a wonderful day,

Annette

[Cindi]

Annette, my camera is quite flat, and yes, when I am outside, most of the time it is in my back pocket of my jeans, ready for any wonderful shots that I think I should point and shoot.  Has a pretty good zoom and macro for close ups.  Keep those pictures coming, all our forum friends, we all love to look into your little part of this beautiful world.  Have a wonderful and beautiful life and day.  Cindi