Beginners to beekeeping may find this feeder useful as they get started in beekeeping. It replaces one of the frames inside their hive and stores plenty of sugar water so refilling it less often.
This feeder is simple to use and sturdy; however, it may not be ideal as a winter feeder.
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Easy to use
There is an assortment of bee feeders on the market, each offering unique advantages and disadvantages. Some models may be more complex than others; nonetheless, all can help your bees gain access to vital nutrients they require for survival. Your choice will depend on your needs and apiary, including how often refilling will need to happen – for instance a system which allows quick exchange of empty feeders may be ideal.
One popular bee feeder option is an internal hive top feeder. These convenient feeders allow beekeepers to easily monitor bee activity without opening the hive, are simple to clean, and are perfect for fondant feeding. They should never overfill though or your bees may drown – always place away from entrance so as to discourage robbing! A round rapid feeder provides another simple bee feeder solution; typically this feeder holds between 1-3 litres.
Durable
Cedar feeders differ from front entrance feeders by boasting a larger reservoir with typically 9 litres. Their simple design fits both National brood chambers with cover boards removed as well as Warre hives when fitted with an appropriate National to Warre adapter, and sit positioned over hive entrances with two openings left by narrow dado cuts for floor feeding; typically these would remain shut under normal circumstances but in cold weather or times of long feeding sessions leaving one or both open could prove advantageous.
Monitor resource levels without disturbing bees with this feeder designed for monitoring resource levels without upsetting them. Keep in mind, however, that the feeder was not created to handle winter feeding; syrup may freeze if left in for too long without being replaced with warmer foodstuffs. Furthermore, no more than 2 parts sugar to 1 part water should be fed to bees at any one time.
Easy to clean
On the market are numerous types of feeders designed to quickly distribute sugar syrup to bee colonies as quickly as possible. Each device varies in complexity, price, and capacity; some may prove more efficient than others in getting your bees access to sugar syrup quickly and efficiently.
The entrance feeder is the go-to choice when it comes to bee feeders, offering easy monitoring without opening up your hive. Plus, its security against robbers makes cleaning it simple!
Miller feeders provide another type of bee feeder that features a center feeding gallery with feed chambers on each side for more efficient bee feeding, accommodating 210 feeding bees at once. Plus, it is very user-friendly and clean!
Ideal for Langstroth hives
For those with 10 or more Langstroth hives, this feeder makes feeding multiple colonies from a central location easier. Crafted of plastic for ease of cleaning and featuring six access points for honey bees to safely access sugar water, the 4.5 litre capacity feeder is compatible with crown boards or empty super/brood boxes – as well as being on the market are other hivetop feeder options, including ones with central chimney access that prevent bees from drowning.
This type of feeder looks similar to a frame and should be securely mounted against the hive wall to keep robbers at bay. To facilitate easy bee access to syrup, the slot should align itself parallel with the combs below so bees can more readily gain entry. These feeders can either provide slow drip feeds in autumn or stimulated feedings during spring.
