Top feeders are an ideal way to provide nourishment for bees without disturbing their hive. They come in various sizes to accommodate hives of all kinds.
This Ceracell New Zealand made 10 Frame Top Feeder is built for extra strength with underside ribs for strength, and it holds 2.25 Gallons/8.5 Liters of liquid feed. Plus, it features Ceracell’s patented corner access system.
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Hive Top Feeders
Hive top feeders are an excellent way to provide sugar syrup to your bees during the spring and fall. Doing so can stimulate colony growth, sustain them during a time of scarce resources, and build stores for wintering.
These feeders utilize a shallow box (4″-5″ depth) with plastic reservoir to hold syrup. A hardware cloth surface provides bees with ample access area to consume syrup quickly, resulting in faster colony growth.
One of the greatest advantages of these feeders is how easy they are to fill. Simply remove both the lid and inner cover to gain access to your container, then fill with your desired quantity of syrup.
Top feeders are an ideal option for beekeepers who want to prevent robbing, as they’re easier to fill than gravity or frame feeders and can also be refilled without disturbing the bees. Furthermore, these feeders are resistant to rain and wind damage.
Plastic Zipper Bag Feeders
Plastic zipper bag feeders are an ideal option for beekeepers looking to save time and money by minimizing travel to their hives. These feeders use a gallon-sized plastic bag as food storage, with a zip top closure for secure closure.
Microwavable bags work surprisingly well in the microwave as long as you don’t overheat their contents or make the bag too hot to handle. Be mindful that microwaved bags often leak around their corners, so fold a piece of duct tape over the end of the zipper before opening or closing it.
HBS customers love the Ceracell top feeder. It boasts a durable food-grade plastic tray, corner caps and chimney cap with improved rim. Furthermore, its patented corner access system ensures bees get to every drop of syrup no matter how sloppily it may accumulate on the rim.
Bottom Feeders
Top feeders are an excellent way to provide your bees with extra sugar syrup, but they can get in the way of other hive maintenance tasks. Ceracell NZ makes a heavy duty top feeder that features underside ribs for strength and holds 8.5 litres of liquid feed; plus it comes pre-assembled. Plus it features its patented special corner access and centre chimney access – essential features for beekeepers. Crafted from Australian hoop pine, assembly takes only 5 minutes and uses Australian hoop pine wood; although it may feel heavy at first glance, consider using plastic zip bag feeders alongside it instead to reduce overall weight in your hives.
Nuc Feeders
Ceracell top feeders are an excellent way to feed nucs. Crafted from 100% food grade plastic, these containers feature a corner access system that ensures bees get every last drop of sugar syrup. This feeder is clear at the top, allowing you to easily view how much syrup is left in a nuc without opening up the hive and spilling it on your floor. It works best with 5-frame nucs and comes with corner caps and a center chimney cap that must be assembled before use. This feeder is an ideal way to protect the bees from drowning in sugar syrup and can be used throughout the beekeeping season. It also works for 4 frame hives and requires assembly – which should take only minutes! Perfect for beekeepers with busy schedules or those who don’t want to deal with messy hive top feeding duties, this option offers great convenience.
