Bees require a steady source of sugar syrup when their nectar supply fails, in order to survive. Bee entrance feeders can provide this vital food source.
When selecting a feeder for beekeeping, there are plenty of options to choose from. Each has its advantages and drawbacks, so it’s essential that you select the type that meets your specific requirements.
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Mason Jar
Feeding bees is an effective and economical option; one of the best places for them to access sugar water is inside their hive. There, they can get access to it all day long, in any weather.
It is essential to use a feeder that won’t leak, as a leaky feeder can create problems for the hive. Leaking feeders encourage robbing which could quickly wipe out an established colony.
An alternative to the entrance jar feeder is the Boardman Feeder. This plastic tray fits inside your hive’s entrance and holds a quart-sized canning jar, with its metal lid screwed onto the tray.
You can use this type of feeder in Warre, Langstroth or Top Bar hives. The jars can be placed either inside the inner cover or above it, depending on your preferences.
Zipper Bag
If you don’t want to use a division board feeder in a deep box, fill a large Ziploc bag with syrup and place it over the top bars of the hive. Make a cut (about 1 1/2 inches) on the top center of the bag so the bees can access their syrup.
Another solution is to install a gravity-style feeder on top of the hive. This type of feeder uses vacuum pressure to prevent syrup from spilling out if the container is airtight.
This method is ideal for small-scale beekeepers who don’t have space for extra hive boxes on their property and need to stack and transport multiple feeders with forklifts. Gravity-style feeders tend to be pricier than other internal types of feeders, but this cost is offset by their longevity; additionally, gravity-style feeders have environmental benefits since they’re only used during certain times of the season and can easily be recycled afterwards.
Frame Feeder
The entrance feeder is a jar that sits outside the hive’s entrance. This container contains sugar water, and bees feed off of it through small holes in the jar.
Bees consume sugar water and then return it to their hive to store it in their combs. This is an effective way for them to stay fed during wintertime when natural sources of nectar and pollen are scarce.
This type of feeder may be more expensive than other options, but it’s an excellent way to ensure your bees remain happy and healthy! Crafted from plastic, this feeder fits in the front entrance of your hive and comes complete with a perforated lid as well as a 1 Qt jar for storage.
The frame feeder replaces a frame in your hive box and holds up to 3/4 gallon of syrup. The cap and ladder system prevents bees from drowning, adds strength, and prevents comb buildup inside the feeder.
Top Feeder
Top feeders, also referred to as bee entrance feeders, offer an easy solution for feeding your bees when nectar flow is low. In addition, they can also be used when sugar water isn’t enough to satisfy their sugar needs; top feeders can be filled with dry sugar or pollen substitutes for added convenience.
Beekeepers often turn to medication as an option when giving their bees a nutritious diet. Placing them inside the hive shields them from UV rays that could weaken or alter the effects of medications administered to your colony.
These feeders can hold up to two gallons of syrup, making them perfect for feeding large groups of bees such as those in a nuc or an established colony that has outgrown its initial few frames of honey and pollen. Refilling is simple without disturbing the bees’ hive; additionally, you can inspect any leftover food supplement to guarantee its safety for the bees.
