Many beekeepers opt for internal hive top feeders as an efficient and cost-effective way to feed their beehives. These convenient feeders fit directly on top of the hive’s inner cover, have large capacities, and make filling them simple and straightforward.
Beehives offer several advantages over conventional beehives, including reduced heat loss during cold conditions and fast access to syrup without disrupting the cluster of bees.
Contents
High Capacity
Top feeders provide protection from elements and potential pests like robbers that might try to reach for syrup-filled division boards and frame feeders placed outside or inside the hive; and allow multiple feeders at the same time.
Top feeders boast an enormous capacity, holding more than a gallon of syrup at any one time – giving your bees food for much longer than other feeders can! Refilling top feeders is simple – simply lift up their outer cover to access them, remove and replace their inner cover to replenish them while leaving your hive undisturbed.
Easy to Fill
Top feeders feature wide openings that make filling them simple, reducing spillage due to temperature changes or bad lid seal seals. Refilling one also has no adverse impact on bee colonies as filling requires only taking off its inner cover and lid – leaving all bees unaffected by disruption during refill.
Use a nail file to cut small holes in one of the two parts of a quart-size zip-top bag using its flat portion, and lay it upside down over your inner cover or shallow super, followed by an empty deep hive body as an additional barrier against robbing and protection from bees.
Beginner beekeepers may benefit from this baggie feeder, which is easy and affordable to use, while offering the opportunity to monitor feeding rates without disrupting hives or increasing risk of stings.
No Drowning
Beekeepers frequently utilize frame feeders. These large troughs sit inside the hive on either the inner cover or elevated slightly; these feeders can often drown the bees inside the hive and may require either a float, ladder, or both for optimal results.
Another type is a jar feeder. This device consists of a one-gallon glass container with an access screen to which bees have access, making this ideal for either inside the hive or outdoors depending on whether animals or strong winds could dislodge it.
Hive top feeders employ various strategies to combat robbing. Some models allow free access to the syrup while others limit it access only in certain sections, like with the Brushy Mt feeder which features more limited access and features a #8 hardware cloth ladder to prevent bees from drowning in it.
No Sun Exposure
Sun exposure can accelerate sugar water spoilage while also breaking down medicines stored in beehive feeders. A beekeeper should monitor both weather and sun levels throughout the foraging season to keep colonies from overheating too quickly.
Top hive feeders provide total protection from both weather conditions and robber bees, and can be easily inspected and refilled without disturbing the colony.
These feeders can also be used in winter to feed the hive. Constructed of plastic and approximately the size of a brood frame, these feeders can then be inserted into the hive in place of one of its frames – their design allows it to prevent robber bees from accessing sugar syrup within.
Easy to Monitor
Sugar syrup feedings are an integral part of beekeeping, used to stimulate growth, support the colony during periods of dearth or build and maintain adequate winter stores. There are various approaches beekeepers take when feeding their colonies this nectar; entrance feeders, frame feeders and hive top feeders all work effectively to accomplish this task.
Hive top feeders provide greater protection from wind, rain and sunlight than entrance feeders do, making them the better choice when medicating a hive as they don’t require opening the hive and can avoid exposure to sunlight which would interfere with medication taking effect as often happens with entrance feeders.
Additionally, inspecting a top feeder is less invasive than inspecting frame feeders as you can do it without smoking and with minimal risk of being stung – something especially valuable to new beekeepers.
