division board feeders

[rober]

I've started putting enough sticks ( 1/2" thick x 1/2" to 3/4" wide ) to completely covers the surface of the syrup in my division board feeders. the sticks are a tad shorter than the feeder to allow for the taper of the feeder allowing them to ride the syrup to the bottom. very few bees are drowning now. with the screen ladders that come with the feeders too many bees were drowning. these also make good beetle traps. if the bees drink them dry I pull the feeder & tap it upside down into a plastic tub I bring along. as soon as the beetles hit the pan they can be smashed.
note- I usually put an empty hive body on top of the hive & put the feeder in that. it makes for easier access. right now I had 2 hives making a lot of burr comb next to the feeders so I added some frames with foundation & the girls started drawing them out.