Paint can bee feeders are an easy DIY solution for feeding sugar syrup to your beehive. Simply secure a zip lock bag on top bars of your hive and punch small holes in its lid; bees will use these holes to siphon syrup out.
Healthy colonies that have amassed resources don’t usually need additional feedings, while weak or starving colonies will need assistance as winter nears. There are various top feeder options, including frame and division board feeders.
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Inverted container
An inverted container is an effective bee feeder made of readily available materials. Any shallow dish or pan will do, although paint cans and large jars with lids that open wide enough can be effective feeders. You could also try turning over a Frisbee as a potential bee feeder!
One of the most commonly used bee feeders is a Boardman feeder, included with beginner kits and designed to hold an inverted quart mason jar. Although these feeders may cause robbing, they’re easy to check and refill with fresh syrup; however, they aren’t the best choice for hive inspections; gravity style feeders use gravity (combined with vacuum pressure) to deliver syrup into hives for inspections.
Frame feeder
This feeder fits easily into any hive and holds three quarts of syrup. Featuring inner ladders to assist the bees in accessing it without drowning, this tool is great to use during spring and fall seasons to minimize robbing while making beekeeping simpler!
These feeders are often used when introducing a colony into a new environment, such as after unhiveing from a package. They may also help weak colonies get access to food.
This feeder may cost more, but it offers greater durability and easier cleaning than others. Furthermore, filling it requires no cracking open of the hive; therefore lessening any disruption for bees.
Bottom board feeder
Colder climates require feeders to be placed above clusters rather than near entrances for bees to travel to for food, so feeders should be located above. A bottom board feeder allows bees access to sugar syrup without going outside; additionally it helps prevent Small Hive Beetle infestation.
These feeders are both straightforward and affordable to build or buy. Liquid syrup is kept in an upside down container such as a quart jar, paint can or plastic pail for storage, with bees feeding from it directly. Though effective, such systems may leak if air pressure changes rapidly; furthermore they could potentially drown bees if their container becomes too large.
Frame feeders tend to be more costly but easier to clean and tend to drown fewer bees than other feeders, while also taking up less space in your hive. They require a robbing screen made of wood or plastic; plastic should be painted or treated with preservative to protect it against rot.
Candy board
Candy boards are small boxes filled with sugar that provide winter feedings to beehives. Each candy board features ventilation holes on its front side for ventilation purposes as well as an upper entrance/exit, providing insulation against mice entry to your hive.
Many recipes for this type of bee feeding use vinegar as an anti-fungal ingredient to keep their sugar from molding or mildewing over winter – while bees will still consume it as they need it.
The Winter-Bee-Kind can be placed atop any deep hive body overwintering cluster, either taking the place of an inner cover or placed over an existing top cover to reduce two winter stresses: excessive moisture levels and food shortages.
Fondant
Fondant is an icing used for decorating cakes and pastries. While homemade fondant may be preferred, pre-made varieties can also be found at supermarkets or baking stores; these may contain preservatives which might make the flavor seem chemical; to achieve the best possible experience it’s wiser to create your own fondant from scratch if possible.
Plastic rapid feeders can be purchased online or from some hobby and craft stores. They consist of a small bucket that sits atop the crownboard in an empty super or brood box and contains strong syrup; they work effectively in warmer climates while being less effective in cold weather conditions.
Fondant can be colored by adding edible food coloring, whether gel or liquid; both give an equally vibrant finish. Gel coloring tends to produce stronger results while liquid colors will create paler hues.
