Bees must be fed regularly in an apiary operation; providing sugar syrup helps ensure colonies remain healthy and productive.
There are various types of feeders available. One popular approach is an entrance feeder that sits outside of the hive and often encourages robbing activity; however, this method can be hard to manage effectively and should only be used as needed.
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Fill the bucket with sugar syrup
There are multiple methods for feeding bees. One approach is an entrance feeder at the hive’s front that’s easy to monitor and refill, yet can promote robbing. Another alternative is a pail feeder equipped with a screen to prevent intruders from accessing the hive; these may be easier than boardman feeders to fill, but need an empty body nearby in which you can place it over.
Some beekeepers prefer the Miller feeder, shaped like a frame and providing bee access at both ends of it. It is easier to clean and maintain than hive top feeders but may not work as effectively in cold temperatures. You could also make your own feeder by using a jar with sugar syrup with holes punched out for feeding purposes – these are popular and convenient; but remember that feeding syrup won’t replace protein stores; rather it should serve as a supplement to existing sources like pollen.
Invert the bucket
There are various approaches to feeding colonies, each offering its own advantages and disadvantages. One popular technique uses a bucket equipped with an appropriate feeder lid (you can make your own by punching or drilling holes into an clean plastic jar lid) allowing beekeepers to control feeding rates without opening their hives regularly.
Contact feeders are another viable solution to provide sugar syrup to bees. These feeders typically consist of rectangular metal or plastic cans fitted with pin holes in their lid that create an airtight seal when inverted, and feature fine gauze or mesh lids so bees can access their supply easily.
Some beekeepers also utilize zip lock baggie feeders, filled with syrup and placed over clustering hive bodies. This method can be advantageous because it doesn’t disrupt colony life and it allows the beekeeper to easily check syrup levels without opening the hive. Unfortunately, long term use isn’t advised due to bees becoming trapped inside these bags and drowning.
Place the bucket inside the hive
Some beekeepers use bucket feeders on hives that are difficult for bees to access, such as those on hillsides. This method helps the bees gain access to syrup without leaving their cluster or risk becoming lost; bees find bucket feeders more convenient than frame feeders for access.
One disadvantage of using a bucket feeder is its potential to encourage bee robbing habits, so for best results it should be placed away from your hive so as to not draw in thieves.
Bottom board feeders like Jay Smith’s version can also help protect bees from being robbed, with simple wood dams put under the entrance at the back of their box to stop bees from leaving by going through front but still allow them to return through rear to reach empty cells. While less costly than frame feeders, bottom board feeders don’t provide as much robbing protection.
Fill the bucket with water
Feeding bees involves many different strategies. While some involve placing the feeder inside or external to a hive, others employ internal feeders on top. Internal hive-top feeders are an increasingly popular solution but may come with some drawbacks such as robbing and pest problems as they clog brood nests which often leads to swarming, or worse yet leave sticky dead bees behind which make cleanup difficult.
An alternative solution involves using inverted containers such as quart jars with lids, paint cans with holes or buckets to place over the entrance hole in an inner cover and secure with a telescoping lid – this method works effectively and can last up to 7 days.
One way of feeding bees efficiently and quickly is mixing large batches of sugar water in a five-gallon bucket and placing it in the fridge until needed. This method saves both time and effort when feeding bees.
