syrup dispenser

[MikeyN.C.]

[attachment=0][/attachment]Newbie here,
I have a nuc coming next week,and I had everything gave to me,so I'm in a panic trying to get it together,my question is about feeder,Flottum's book shows a small bucket ,this is what i got is it missing the jar ? ?what I've read so far says a jar on top of inner cover over opening,do i need the wood holder,and i don't have another hive box so can i build a box that sits on inner cover,and top cover fits on until i get a super ??? thanks   oh it's a Langstroth.   can't figure out how to add picture,say it's to large
Edit to add photo:

gifs upload

[Colobee]

I have plain old quart mason jars, sitting right over the inner cover hole. I leave just enough space on one side of the hole to let bees come and go - no particular reason other than to let the strays get back below. In a pinch, a cardboard box with a trash bag over it, to keep it dry, would work fine as a temporary cover. If you can build a wooden box the same size as a super, it will probably always come in handy. Yes, set the outer top over the feeder box.

[Dallasbeek]

Do you know about punching tiny holes in the lid?  Use an ice pick and punch 6-8 holes just until the tip of the pick penetrates the lid.   It shouldn't drip, but the bees can get the syrup just fine.

[GSF]

Sometimes my bee wouldn't get out of the way when I put a new jar down on the slotted inner cover. Now what I do with those is put two pieces of wood down and sit the jar on top of the wood.   

[capt44]

I like the zip lock baggie feeder.
It's simple, cheap and works very well.

[MikeyN.C.]

Tried to send picture,i have two pieces of wood nailed together top has hole with jar lid,bottom. has cutout for bees to get to,small holes in jar lid,but no jar,doesn't fit between top cover and inner cover,is it a jar feeder stand,it's brand new? ?

[MikeyN.C.]

What I've read is once nuc is introduced,put entrance block with small hole open(mouse guard)
and feed at inner cover. if ziploc bag fits,how can i do it.

[MikeyN.C.]

Thanks for the ones that did answer, had to spend time searching,after an hour i found that it's a boardman feeder . thought i explained my question pretty good,guess not

[buzzbee]

Mikey,
When submitting a photo to the admins, be sure to include your username and the post you would like it attached to. We are more than happy to help,but sometimes it takes longer if we have to search threads for proper placement.
The boardamn is shipped just as you received it as any standard mason jar will fit.

[Dallasbeek]

Mikey, I'd suggest you get a catalog from a major supplier and browse through it.  I'm not saying you should buy anything, but just look through it.  Some of the things are very useful.  Some you'll never need.  Some major suppliers are Dadant, Mann Lake, and Kelley.  They all have websites, too, and you can learn a lot looking at them.  More important is reading everything you can.  Michael Bush's website is a great place to start.  In fact, you can get pretty well informed by reading his material.  Good luck with your bees.

[MikeyN.C.]

Buzzbee, sorry i didn't give what thread it was,wasn't use to not being able to post pics. and I understand,Dallas, yea I've already call Brushy Mountain an Dadant& Sons for catalogs, didn't. know what i had,am going to build fake top box that top cover fit over,to keep containment. of nuc,will it be better to just set jar over inner cover hole or use boardman stand, and is 1:1. by weight or measurement

[Colobee]

Entrance feeders are prone to encouraging robbing. You might be better off putting a jar over the inner cover hole. I've never used baggies, so it would be better to hear exactly "how" from someone who has.

Mix sugar & water, equal parts, by weight or volume. A quart jar, filled ~3/4 with water,  plus 3* cups sugar ( 3/4 of a quart jar) will give you one quart of 1:1 syrup.

I heat 3/4 of a quart of water to a boil, in the microwave, then add sugar until the jar is full to the top. There are a lot of ways to end up with the same thing, and the bees don't mind if it's a bit thinner or thicker. You can add a little powdered vitamin C to slow fermentation - about 400 mg/qt more or less.


*edited for correction - thanks, iddee!

[Dallasbeek]

Second that on Boardman feeders and robbing.

From what I've read, fill a heavy, sealable baggie about 3/4 full of syrup (probably a gallon-sized FREEZER ziplock like Hefty) , lay it on top of the inner cover, use a very sharp blade and cut an X on top of the baggie, put a shim or short box on, then the telescoping top.  I think some lay the baggie directly on the tops of the frames, followed by shim and cover. They say it works real well and with gallon size, you're not having to go into hive as often.  Oh, and some people say to put a teaspoon of chlorine bleach in the syrup to retard it from spoiling.

[iddee]

Colobee, check your numbers. 6 cups of sugar is 1 1/2 quart.
2 cups sugar and 2 cups water will give you close to a quart of 1:1 syrup, and will mix in hot tap water,
Also, 3/4 quart water and 6 cups sugar is 2:1.
That's for fall and winter feeding. 1:1 is for spring and summer.

[MikeyN.C.]

Iddee, thanks, Mr. Bush said i might not have to feed. I'm in Harnett Co. just south of Sanford do you think i'll be ok if i just remove entrance reducer,and let bee find nectar,and not use feeder.?

[iddee]

You will be OK not feeding, but better if you feed. Check your PM's.

[rookie2531]

Mikey, you can use that Boardman feeder easier than placing on inner cover hole. Just sit it by the inner cover hole, no problems with robbing when you use it as a "top feeder". The others said it promotes robbing because, where it is intended to be used is, "at the entrance, by sliding it into the front entrance", but that is too close to the entrance and invites unwanted pests. But at the top, the robbers would have to pass all the bees to get to it.

Another thing, if you are going to build a "fake box", it might as well be another hive body, you will need it soon anyway.

[iddee]

My opinion of a boardman feeder.

This time of year, when there is a flow going on, there is no better feeder on the market. I have never had robbing occur because of one.

In summer or fall, when there is no flow, it is the worst feeder you can have. A hive will be robbed out within a day or two of installing it.

Just my 3 cents worth.  "inflation, ya know"

[capt44]

Iddee I have the same opinion of the boardman feeder.
I do have inner covers made for putting multiple jars on them.
I use it primarily when using a cloake board method.
But I use baggie feeders and jar feeders on the top where I can cover them with boxes.
I have less robbing situations.
Alot of times using Nucs I will use a quart bag as a feeder.
Other than that I put a hole in the lid of a NUC and use a quart jar.

[CBT]

MikeyNC don't panic. Make your syrup, pour in a jar that fits that lid, mason or mayo set in wood frame and turn upside down and push into the opening in the bottom board. You are now feeding your bees. Now go learn about all the other feeders and then try them. We like the miller 2 gallon feeders.