If you are looking to feed your bees in a more natural manner, you can also use a mason jar. Just screw the top of the jar onto the cap that has holes to prevent any leaks and you are good to go. The spring sugar mixture is usually 1:1 water to sugar by weight. A 4 lb bag of sugar requires 4 lbs of water. This feeder is also known as an entrance feeder, and has proven to be a reliable option.
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Open feeders
Most beginner beekeeping kits come with a Boardman feeder, which is an inverted quart mason jar. This feeder is notorious for robbing, but the jars are easy to inspect, so you don’t have to disturb the hive. However, they do have one drawback – you have to shake them off to get to the food. The holes are difficult to cover, so you might want to purchase a #8 hardware cloth to avoid any spillage.
Fortunately, there are many options for feeders for barrel feeding bees. Most are able to withstand warm weather, but a few are marginal, requiring temperatures to be in the mid-40’s (four degrees C) during the day and fifty-five degrees (10 deg) during the night. No feeder will work in extreme cold weather, and some are quite expensive. Open feeders for barrel feeding bees, however, are a good idea in the fall and winter, as they prevent robbing, which is often a common problem for commercial beekeepers.
Dry pollen
Beekeepers often try to provide pollen to their bees during the dearth in August and September by providing sugar water and substitute pollen. These methods are said to help build a strong colony, improve goldenrod honey production, and improve bee wintering. In reality, feeding pollen to your bees before wintering does not do any of these things. It actually extends the time that your workers spend rearing new brood. Without pollen, these workers will not survive the winter.
Using dry pollen instead of sugar syrup is an alternative way to feed your bees without compromising their health or your sanity. This option is much easier on the budget and takes up less time. You can purchase a variety of dry pollen feeders in the market. However, you can also make one yourself by using an old wine barrel or plastic juice jug. The trick to feeding bees without causing disease is to keep their colony healthy and happy.
Boardman entrance feeder
A Boardman entrance feeder for barrel feeding beehives is designed to provide a front entrance for the bees. It fits over the mouth of a standard mason jar and rests on top of the hive. It has an integrated device to prevent spillage and ensure that the bees do not drown. The downside is that it is difficult to remove when the feeder is full.
The Boardman entrance feeder for barrel feeding beehives comes with an optional bottle of syrup. This feeder requires regular refilling and may freeze or leak. This type of feeder is relatively inexpensive and does not cause as much disruption to the bees as other feeders. You can cover the holes with #8 hardware cloth for added protection against raccoons. A bottle of syrup will last a long time in a Boardman feeder, and the bees will appreciate it.
MegaBee
One of the most important tips when barrel feeding bees is to be sure not to overload them with food. Many new beekeepers tend to overfeed their bees, which results in a honey-bound colony with very little room for the queen to lay eggs. This is not a good thing. MegaBee is the perfect solution to this problem! Here are some tips to ensure your bees get all the nutrients they need.
First, the feeding technique is simple. You place the feed outside the colony and allow the bees to consume it. This method is simpler than the former and doesn’t require opening the hive to access the feeders. The downside to this approach is that the bees may accidentally drown in the comb as you fill the frame feeders. Second, you risk spoiling the sugary syrup that the bees will be eating! And finally, rainwater can get into the feeder, contaminating the next feed.
