Hive top feeders make an invaluable addition to your beekeeping equipment, being easy to set up and compatible with both 8-frame and 10-frame Langstroth equipment.
Bees can often provide themselves with sufficient food; however, when their supply dwindles they will need a bee feeder to prevent starvation and ensure your colony thrives under such circumstances.
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Entrance Feeders
These feeders are an ideal option for beginners as they’re easy to use and require less maintenance than internal feeders. Simply place it atop the inner cover of your hive, allowing bees access to their syrup without opening up their home hive, while making monitoring simple so that you know when resupplies need replenishing.
An entrance feeder’s disadvantages include attracting robber bees and other pests that could disrupt your hive, but this problem can be overcome by placing it inside a box. While internal feeders cost more, they reduce stress to bees by opening less often – plus they hold more syrup so you can feed longer periods. Furthermore, they’re easier to clean and come in various sizes.
Division Board Feeders
No matter whether you need to build up your hive’s stocks for summer or supplement food supplies during a dearth, hive top feeders are one of the easiest and most straightforward ways of accomplishing the task. They’re straightforward to set up, monitor, and refill without having to open up the hive in the process.
Division board feeders are among the most sought-after of hive top feeders, providing bees with access to nectar and syrup nearer their home in order to reduce robbing, reduce freezing risk and make adding mite treatments easy – perfect for beginners looking for simplicity!
Inverted Container Feeders
Beekeepers commonly utilize hive top feeders made of containers inverted over the entrance hole in an inner cover. Often the lid features pin holes for easier security of this feeder against robber bees and other pests, keeping your syrup safe. You can place these feeders directly on top of the hive or use an empty super to protect it from animals or high winds dislodging it; both ways, this type of feeder holds more syrup without exposure to air which means no mold growth, plus it’s easy refill.
However, one key drawback of an open feeding location is its vulnerability to robbing; also the container may become cold over time and reduce evaporation rates; which is one reason some beekeepers prefer an entrance feeder instead.
Spacer Rim Feeders
Beginners searching for an optimal hive top feeder to start out should consider investing in a spacer rim feeder as it’s simple and allows them to easily monitor syrup levels without opening up their hive, protecting it from thieves and other pests.
Simply place a ziplock bag filled with syrup in a spacer, cut a slit in it to allow bees to access their food source and add mite treatments if necessary for maximum benefits.
These hive top feeders are easy to set up and refill, preventing bees from drowning in an ocean of syrup. Ideal for when food sources are unavailable; great as robbing or winter feeding as bees adjust to becoming independent; can hold up to 3 quarts of syrup at one time!
