Hive top feeders are feeders designed to sit atop the outer cover of a beehive and do not require an inner cover for operation. Easy to refill and designed to protect from potential robbers, these devices help ensure beehives remain productive and free from disruptions.
Features to prevent bees from drowning are also readily accessible for assembly.
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Easy Access to Feeding
Hive top feeders typically hold one gallon of syrup. Since they’re fully integrated into the hive, hive top feeders reduce robbers’ chances of access and allow you to monitor levels without opening your hive.
Beginner beekeepers may benefit from this hive top feeder, which easily mounts onto mason jars already present in their pantry. Simply fill a jar with sugar water, turn it upside-down, and position it to cover your inner cover – or switch out for another when necessary.
Another alternative for hive top feeders is this division board feeder, which fits directly into hives to protect them against robbing. Furthermore, its easy design enables inspection of syrup levels through hardware cloth without needing to remove or relocate the feeder itself. However, larger colonies may find this arrangement less than ideal as monitoring brood clusters may become difficult and lead to its dissolution.
No Inner Cover Needed
Hive top feeders sit directly on the outer cover, meaning no additional inner cover is necessary (though you could add one for extra security or to lessen bee disruption when inspecting your hive). When it’s time to feed, this means it can be accomplished without opening up your hive!
Another advantage is that, unlike division board feeders which must be placed inside of the hive as an insert frame, this feeder resides entirely outside. This makes it less likely to attract robbers while simultaneously protecting it against colder climates.
Finally, this feeder is simple to set up and use. Just fill a jar with sugar water, twist on its lid securely, and flip it upside down over an inner cover – bees will quickly enter through its hole in the center to access its syrup supply! Plus it allows you to easily monitor its level so you can refill quickly when necessary!
No Drowning
Some beekeepers utilize hive top feeders with entrances specifically designed to allow bees to navigate them into and out of their hives without robbing and making mite treatments simpler to add. This prevents robbing while making mite treatments simpler to apply.
These feeders do not hold much, making them susceptible to freezing in winter. Furthermore, they must be checked frequently which sometimes requires opening the entire hive which disrupts cluster formation.
Some beekeepers opt for internal hive top feeders – inverted containers of syrup which sit atop the inner cover – as these are easier to monitor and refill without opening the hive, although they should still be protected against high winds or animals, plus exposed syrup can mold more quickly; hence hive top feeders may be preferable in many instances.
No Molding
Hive top feeders do not collect mold due to being sealed off from exposure to the elements, making it easy to check and refill without breaking open or disconcerting the cluster.
This feeder sits atop your inner cover of your hive and is held securely with either a western or shallow super. Bees enter through its bottom hole and ascend a cone with ridges until they reach a reservoir filled with syrup inside; from here they consume their meal via durable plastic cup before more of their feed remains under a white lid to prevent mold growth.
This 10 frame hive top feeder with floats comes ready-to-use and should last years of service. Refilling and monitoring syrup levels is easy without opening up the hive; additionally, using this type of feeder makes medicating simpler as there’s less exposure to sunlight.
