Thoughts on open feeding?

[Brian D. Bray]

Open feeders need a life raft on top.  Use a square shaped plastic bucket build raft that fits inside  to about 1/16-1/8 away from the walls.  I built a frame, overlayed it with #8 hardware cloth then slatted that with 3/8 spacing between the slats. Reduces drownings durastically. 

The idea of open feeding is to prevent robbing.  To accomplish that the feeder should be at least 50 feet away from the apiary, preferably near a nectar source (under  a fruit tree, amidst a dandilion patch, etc) and move occassionally.  In the spring 1 or 2 feedings from a 4-5 gallon bucket is all that should be needed for 2-10 hives.

I like the system because of it's ease.  I'm disabled so have to do things that work fairly well that doesn't tax me too much physically.

[wd]

oops I see I said baggies on top cover when I meant inner cover,  For the record I wasn't trying to imply to feed year round. What I see others use is the what not the when. They also have a truck with a tank and pump and some other gear. So far, I've used boardman feeders at the entrance on occasion and others 5 to 20 feet away from hives set up off the ground on something. They find it easier a little closer. First thing I watch out for is ants. The syrup attracts them instantly.

[CapnChkn]

The main reasons I like to put it under an empty hive box of whatever size is:

• It puts the feed out of the way of strays.  I had a bunch of trouble last year with robbers, and I needed to avoid any more destruction.  It seems I have trouble this year too.
• With the syrup "inside" the temperature remains more constant.  It's air pressure that keeps the liquid in.  Any change in the temperature can expand the air inside the jar and push the liquid out.
• It keeps a hole out of the roof.  I have this on an inner cover which I put over them.  I can't think of a way to easily keep rain from driving itself through the hole even with the feeder in place.

Maybe it's because I spent 30 years in Florida where it's either so dry you worry about scraping your feet on the sidewalk because you might start a fire, or you have 6 inches of water in the yard.  The outer cover doesn't need an inner cover directly under it because the bees don't get in that chamber.  I have a vent hole in the edge of the inner cover to let anybody that sneaks in when I check the feed, out.

The one problem I'm having with this setup is ants.  I have used petroleum jelly to make a barrier that has worked before, but now the ants seem to just walk over it.  Now they're hanging around on the inner cover and getting into the feed when I open it to add more.  I strain it through a nylon stocking.  They don't seem to be getting into the hive to bother the bees.

[bee-nuts]

I am trying open feeding in a empty hive full of frame feeders for the second time about a 1/4 mile away.  I am tired of opening hives and filling feeders twice a week, worrying about weak colonies getting robbed, etc.  If there is too many dead bees ill use more hives and feeders to spread the bees out till they have enough room to avoid the shoving.  Ill probably take a video of it tomorrow and put on you tube.

[wd]

The worst time I had with ants was when using division board feeders inside the hive with dry sugar or syrup. I  saw ants all over comb, at the time I expected the bees to take care it. I lost 3 hives with that expectation, saved a 4th. I won't do that again. Now I place it outside the hive. I don't treat the ground for insects, robbing hasn't occurred yet.

Thanks for idea bee-nuts! although 1/4 mile sounds a bit far.

[bee-nuts]

Its not to far.  The main reason is so I can keep the feeder near the farm and keep bears from eating it, LOL.  The bees find it within minutes.  Also means I only have to haul syrup about 50 yards.  Last year I let them clean comb and withing a half hour there was a swarm every time.

[CapnChkn]

I want to see that video!