There are various feeder boxes available for bees. One popular type is an inverted jar feeder, as this allows easy monitoring without opening your hive and doesn’t expose bees to direct sunlight.
With its high capacity, this feeder allows you to feed an entire colony quickly. However, its open design may attract thieves; therefore, regular cleaning must take place.
Contents
Internal hive-top feeders
Internal hive-top feeders are easy to set up and provide bees with constant resources during hard times. Their sturdy construction fits seamlessly in the hive, making resource levels accessible without disrupting colony life. Furthermore, this type of feeder protects syrup from wind and sun exposure for winter feeding needs.
Entrance feeders are an increasingly popular alternative to hive-top feeders and consist of an inverted container which fits inside the entrance of a hive and contains sugar syrup. They’re simple to use and easy to see how much syrup remains; however, entrance feeders do have their drawbacks, including their tendency to cause robbing and subpar performance in cold temperatures.
Frame feeders are another simple option that are quick and easy to build, usually used when starting up a new hive with bees or during periods when nectar flow has decreased significantly.
External hive-top feeders
Maintaining healthy beehives requires having access to quality feeders in times of drought or low nectar flow, whether during times of dearth or low nectar production. When choosing the ideal feeder type for you and your beehives, keep size of hives in mind as well as ease of monitoring feed levels and refilling as a priority – popular options for this include frame feeders or pail feeders.
Frame feeders consist of an inverted jar sitting atop the hive’s entrance, from which bees access their sustenance through a mesh-covered hole on the bottom. Easy to check and refill, these durable yet affordable feeders make great first-time beekeeping solutions.
Hive-top feeders, which screw directly onto mason jars, offer another effective option for beekeepers. Easy to use and translucent in design, these feeders allow beekeepers to see when syrup levels drop below what is desirable. Convenient and cost effective options that can easily be purchased online or locally (beekeeping stores may carry them too), they may need refilling more often than other types.
Entrance feeders
This entry feeder provides an easy and cost-effective solution for beekeeping beginners. Designed to fit a standard glass jar of sugar syrup, its easy monitor interface makes this an ideal solution. However, its exposed nature means it may not be ideal during winter feeding due to freezing risks.
These feeders fit securely into the gap at the hive entrance and can hold a quart jar filled with sugar syrup, helping keep robbers at bay and allow beekeepers to check on their bees without opening their hives. Unfortunately, these feeders may attract unwanted pests such as ants that might congregate around it.
As well, they can also be placed above the inner cover or in an empty hive body to reduce robbing opportunities, although this strategy should be avoided in weak colonies as it increases distance between bees and syrup supplies.
Contact feeders
Beekeepers typically utilize these feeders only temporarily when there is an inadequate resource or weather conditions that prevent their bees from foraging, as these bees generally tend to be self-sufficient; however, additional feeding might be required when there is too much robbing or other factors preventing foraging.
Contact feeders are typically buckets with lids fitted with fine mesh screens or sponge. Once filled with strong syrup, these contact feeders should be turned upside down to allow the bees to access their food through the mesh screens and sponge. Contact feeders may also be used in tandem with top-nest boxes or brood boxes for maximum efficiency.
Contact feeders are quick and easy to refill, but can attract robbers due to their distance from the hive. If you do choose to use one, be sure to place it inside an empty super or brood box on the crownboard so as not to invite thieves who might steal its syrup supply.
