Colonies typically need sugar syrup when the weather is too cold for them to forage, or when they are preparing to winter over and need to store up supplies. Some beekeepers also use sugar syrup to help colonies replenish their stores after honey is harvested.
The purpose of feeding syrup can be to stimulate colony growth, sustain them through a dearth period, or build and maintain adequate stores for wintering. All of these purposes are important for the health and wellbeing of the bees, and so it is important to ensure that the bees have access to syrup at all times. The best way to do this is to keep a feeder filled with syrup in the hive at all times, so that the bees can help themselves as needed.
The most common method for feeding syrup is the gravity method, which uses a tank of syrup and a feeder tube. The tube is placed in the hive, and the syrup is allowed to flow by gravity. This method is simple and effective, but can be messy if the tube is not placed properly. Another common method is the pump method, which uses a pump to force the syrup into the hive. This method is more expensive and complicated, but is less messy and can be used to feed larger hives.
A top feeder is a device that sits on top of the hive and dispenses feed through a small hole. The bees have to fly up to the feeder to get the food, which can be a good way to encourage them to exercise. Top feeders are also useful when you need to give the bees medication, as you can mix it in with the feed.
Top feeder
A top feeder is a simple way to provide supplemental feed to your bees without having to open the hive. Because the reservoir is shallow, the bees can easily access the syrup without drowning. The hardware cloth prevents them from getting into the reservoir and getting stuck.
There are also smaller, 3-gallon feeders for nucs and top bars.Top feeders are designed to be placed on top of a hive and used as an entrance to the hive. They come in sizes to fit both 8-frame and 10-frame Langstroth equipment. Capacity varies a little between manufacturers, but 10-frame feeders usually hold about 4 gallons, and 8-frame feeders can hold a little more than 3 gallons. There are also smaller, 3-gallon feeders for nucs and top bars.
High capacity
This is especially important during Blueberry season when the bees are working their hardest and need all the sugar they can get! The top feeder's high capacity is great for colonies during Blueberry season. The bees can get the sugar they need in one visit, which is really important during their busiest time.
The large access area the hardware cloth surface provides enables many bees to take feed at once, and therefore allowing a colony to rapidly consume a large quantity of syrup. This is particularly advantageous during times of nectar flow when the bees need all the energy they can get.
This is particularly important during the fall when there is a narrow window in which to feed in order to assure brood chambers will have adequate stores for winter after supers are removed. The fall flow provides an opportunity to replenish hive resources that may have been depleted during the spring and summer honey flows, and to build up stores for the winter.
I've found that colonies take syrup from top feeders a little slower than from a frame feeder, but faster than from a gravity feeder. With a frame feeder, they can just crawl right in and gorge themselves, whereas with a gravity feeder, they have to wait for the syrup to come down to them, so they take it a little at a time.
More advantages
Top feeders are a great option for those looking for an easy way to fill their feeders. The wide, open design allows for quick and easy filling, which can reduce the potential for spilled syrup and help to prevent robbing.
If you have a top feeder, you can simply remove the lid and inner cover to access the feeder. This won't disrupt the colony of bees below.
Once the feeding season is over, it is simple to rinse out the top feeder's syrup reservoir and allow it to dry before stacking for storage. This will help keep your feeders clean and ready for next year.
This is a great advantage for those who live in areas with extreme temperatures. Another plus is that you don't have to worry about your feeder falling over and spilling food all over the ground.
It's important to inspect top feeders before using them to ensure that the hardware cloth is "bee tight" to prevent access from below. Otherwise, bees could get into the feeder and contaminate the sugar water with their own feces, which could potentially spread disease.
Bees are attracted to water and will often drink from puddles or other small bodies of water. If there are gaps or holes in your home, bees may be able to get inside and become trapped. Once they are inside, they may not be able to find their way out and will eventually drown. Filling any gaps or holes with silicon will prevent this from happening and keep bees safe.
Bees are attracted to the smell of syrup, so it is important to make sure that they cannot access it from above. This can be easily accomplished by making sure that the inner cover is in good condition and sits flush on top.
Appropriate cost
If you're looking for a top-quality feeder that won't break the bank, Honestbee is a great option. Their feeders are competitively priced. Not to mention, buying a feeder directly from Honestbee can save you time.
There are a few things to consider when choosing a feeder for your beehive. First, you need to decide what type of feeder you want. The most common types are frame feeders and top feeders. Frame feeders are placed inside the hive and sit on top of the frames. Top feeders sit on top of the hive and have a hole in the center that the bees can access. The next thing to consider is the size of the feeder. If you have a smaller hive, you will want to choose a feeder that is appropriately sized. Top feeders come in a variety of sizes, so you should be able to find one that will work for your hive. Another thing to keep in mind is the type of food you will be feeding your bees. Some feeders are designed for specific types of food, such as sugar water or pollen patties. Make sure to choose a feeder that is compatible with the type of food you will be feeding. Finally, you need to decide how often you will be feeding your bees. If you plan to feed them regularly, you will want to choose a feeder that is easy to refill. Top feeders are typically the easiest to
