If you’re looking for a feeder that can hold up to a gallon of syrup, is easy to refill, and doesn’t require the opening of your hive, a bee hive top feeder may be a great option.
This type of feeder sits outside the hive and consists of a jar filled with syrup that drips down onto a feeding tray. It’s a popular choice for beekeepers who want to avoid hive robbing and reduce the risk of mold in their feeders.
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Easy to fill
Feeders are important for feeding bees sugar syrup during times of dearth or when they need to build and maintain stores for winter. There are many types of feeders available, each with its own pros and cons.
Top feeders are one type of feeder that is easy to fill and store. They are also a good option when you want to reduce the risk of robbers coming into the hive during feeding.
This 10-frame wooden hive top feeder has two compartments that each hold one gallon of syrup. Bees enter the feeder through an open slot that runs cross-ways in the middle. Slow to sink pine slatted floats prevent bees from drowning in the syrup.
Easy to clean
The top feeder is a convenient, safe option for bees because it can be cleaned and stored without the need for opening the hive. It also requires less work than an entrance feeder or frame feeder, making it an excellent choice for beginner beekeepers.
It’s a good idea to check any syrup feeder regularly, especially early on in the beekeeping season. This helps keep the sugar level steady and prevents it from being spoiled by mold or other fungi.
However, if you’re using a hive top feeder with a plastic reservoir, it can be difficult to clean and remove excessively fermented syrup from the inside of the feeder. This may attract ants, which can damage your hive.
It’s a good idea to choose a top feeder that’s made from food-grade plastic and has a fine mesh screen covering the hole. This will prevent bees from drowning in the syrup and ensure that the syrup drains down the feeder slowly and evenly.
Easy to refill
A hive top feeder, like this one from Little Giant Farm, is an easy way to feed your bees without opening up the hive. It’s also a great choice for beginner beekeepers, as it requires less maintenance and refills than other feeders.
Bee hive top feeders come in various styles, from simple designs made of mason jars to more sophisticated ones that have extra features. Some even double as moisture reducers, which help prevent bee deaths in winter.
Another popular style is the entrance feeder, which consists of a jar that sits at the entrance of your hive. This type of feeder is easy to monitor from outside the hive, but it can be more prone to robbing by robber bees because it isn’t close enough to the hive for bees to easily access it.
A hive top feeder can be a valuable addition to any beekeeper’s toolkit, as it makes it simple and affordable to feed your bees during the warmer months. These feeders are also easy to refill and can be adapted to fit almost any type of hive.
Easy to store
Hive top feeders are an easy way to provide food for your bees during the winter. They are not exposed to sunlight or robber bees, and they can be checked easily.
When storing hive top feeders, it is important to protect them from wind and rain. This will help keep them from slipping and causing damage to the hive.
Bee top feeders come in different sizes. The best size for a beekeeper is one that is large enough to hold more than two gallons of syrup.
These top feeders can be stored on the hive or in an empty super. They are also easy to transport. A good hive top feeder is made of durable plastic that will not leak or warp.
