The type of syrup feeder for bees you choose depends on your goals and the type of hive you have. Light syrup is ideal for early in the season, as it’s easier for the bees to digest. Medium and dark syrups are appropriate for weaker colonies in the summer and early spring, or for feeding captured swarms.
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Entrance feeders
Entrance feeders are a convenient way to feed your bees. Simply fill them with sugar water and place them at the entrance of your hive. Although you can use them to feed your bees with medication as well, this is not recommended because sunlight can weaken the medication. Entrance feeders don’t hold a large amount of sugar water, so you will need to check them periodically and fill them as needed.
Entrance feeders for bees come in two different styles. You can choose from plastic or board feeders. The Boardman Entrance Feeder is a good option for a Langstroth hive. It is inexpensive and fits snugly inside the hive. The Boardman Entrance Feeder is not recommended for use in cold weather. However, it is a good option if you are feeding your bees in the summer, when water is often scarce.
Hive-top feeders
Hive-top syrup feeders can be placed on top of a hive. Bees enter through the lower opening and climb up the center column to reach the syrup. The outer walls of the feeder are textured to give the bees a solid footing.
A hive-top syrup feeder can be refilled every two weeks and contains about 1 gallon of syrup. It is a cost-effective solution, but it can be difficult to maintain. The capacity is limited and must be refilled often. If the container becomes too full, it can interfere with the bee colony’s normal activities and drown the bees.
A hive-top feeder can be made of various materials, depending on the desired design. Typically, a 2’x4′ sheet of non-treated plywood works well. The finished feeder should be well sealed against the elements. Once the top feeder is completed, it can feed a colony for up to ten frames.
Bucket feeders
Bucket feeders are the most straightforward and easiest to use type of feeder for bees. However, you should be careful when using these feeders because they pose a danger of drowning the bees. First, you should place a 5-gallon bucket in a safe location. Then, fill it with one gallon of food. After the bucket has been filled, insert a thin plastic float that fits tightly inside. The float should have holes in it for the bees to access the food.
Another great type of feeder is the frame feeder. This feeder usually has one or two frames and holds 1 gallon of feed. You should use it near the colony to allow easy feeding. However, you should remember that this type of feeder can leak and could chill the colony. It’s also important to purchase a frame feeder that’s made of food grade plastic.
Frame feeders
Frame feeders are a good option if you want to feed bees syrup continuously and quickly. They also have an advantage over other feeders in that they are not prone to spilling or leaking. Using frame feeders means that you can feed your bees without worrying about your feed coming in contact with any treatments you are using on your colony.
Entrance feeders are easy to use and do not require a lot of maintenance. A plastic funnel or nozzle is used to fill the feeder. Once the bees have enough syrup, the jar is replaced on top of the hive. While an entrance feeder does not require much maintenance, it should be checked regularly for sugar water. In addition, you may need to refill the feeder on a daily basis.
Gravity feeders
Gravity feeders are containers that sit on top of the hive and use vacuum pressure to deliver the bees’ syrup. They are also known as pails, feed buckets, jugs, or syrup cans. These containers are filled with syrup, and they create a vacuum when the container is inverted. The bees access the syrup from below.
Beekeepers in northern climates often use bucket feeders. These are a handy way to supply syrup while the colony is drawing comb and the queen settles. They are also great for newly hived packages, as they can be accessed easily.
