Lesson 22: Feeders
The main kinds of feeder, and which to use when
Sometimes bees need help: a new colony building comb, a colony that's light on stores, or a stretch when nothing is blooming. A feeder holds sugar syrup (lesson 39) and, in some cases, water. Feeders are used any time the colony's needs are high but natural nectar isn't available. This lesson covers the equipment; lesson 39 covers what to feed and how much.
The main types
Entrance feeder (Boardman feeder)
An upside-down jar of syrup sits in a small tray that slides into the hive entrance. - Good: easy to see how much is left and easy to refill without opening the hive. - Drawbacks: it's outside the hive, right at the entrance, so it invites robbing by bees from other colonies (lesson 50). Bees also can't use it well in cold weather (roughly below 40°F).
Jar or pail feeder over the inner cover
A jar or pail with small holes in the lid is turned upside down over the hole in the inner cover, and an empty hive body is placed around it with the lid on top. - Good: inside the hive, near the bees, holds a lot, easy to check and refill. - Tip: leave space for bees to reach the holes, and check the next day that the syrup level is going down.
Division board (in-hive frame) feeder
A tall plastic tub the size of a frame that takes the place of one frame, right beside the bees in the brood nest. - Good: inside the hive, next to the cluster, which works well for new colonies. One Mississippi State guide recommends it for newly installed colonies. - Must have: floats, ladders or folded wire mesh inside so bees can drink without drowning. - Drawback: you have to open the hive to refill it.
Hive-top feeder
A large reservoir that sits on top of the hive, over the hole in the inner cover, with its own lid. - Good: holds a lot of syrup, is enclosed inside the hive, and is easy to refill even in bad weather.
Bag feeder
Syrup in a zip-top plastic food bag laid flat on the top bars, with an empty super around it. Cut a slit a few inches long in the top of the bag with a razor knife, and bees drink from the slit. - Good: very cheap. Drawback: the bags are single-use.
Which to use when
| Situation | Good choices |
|---|---|
| New package or nuc | Division board, jar over inner cover, hive-top |
| Cold weather (below about 55°F daytime highs) | Inside feeders; entrance feeders don't work well in the cold |
| Robbing risk (dearth, weak colony) | Inside feeders; avoid entrance feeders |
| Emergency winter feeding | Inside feeders; dry sugar or candy boards when syrup isn't practical (lesson 39) |
| Water in hot, dry weather | A jar feeder or entrance feeder filled with water can serve as a water source (lesson 51) |
Keep feeders clean
Syrup that sits too long can grow mold or ferment. Wash feeders between uses, and don't leave old syrup sitting in them.
What to remember
- Entrance feeders are handy but invite robbing and don't work in the cold.
- Inside feeders (division board, jar over inner cover, hive-top, bag) are better for new colonies, cold weather and robbing risk.
- Division board feeders need floats or ladders so bees don't drown.
- Wash feeders between uses.
Quick check
- What's the main drawback of an entrance feeder?
- What must you put in a division board feeder, and why?
- It's winter and daytime highs are below 50°F. What kind of feeder should you use?
Show answers
1. It invites robbing, and it doesn't work well in cold weather. 2. Floats, ladders or folded wire mesh, so bees can drink without drowning. 3. A feeder inside the hive (division board, jar over the inner cover, hive-top), or dry sugar/candy for emergencies.
Adapted from: UGA Bee Program, Getting Started: Beekeeping Equipment; Mississippi State University Extension, Beginning Beekeeping in Mississippi (P3594); Purdue Extension, Advanced Beekeeping (4-H-1059-W); UF/IFAS Extension, Welcome to the Apiary! (4H446); University of Arkansas, Complete Beekeeping Short Course, Part 8.
Adapted from university Extension sources. Experienced Georgia beekeepers are reviewing these lessons. See something that doesn't match your experience? Tell us.