Yes, frame feeders are a good tool for beekeepers, but their effectiveness is highly dependent on the season and your specific goals. Also known as division board feeders, they fit inside the hive body just like a standard frame, providing an internal source of sugar syrup that reduces the risk of attracting robber bees. They are most effective in cooler weather when external feeders might freeze or chill the bees.
The central question is not whether frame feeders are "good," but rather when they are the right choice. No single feeder is best for all situations; the optimal choice depends on balancing temperature, hive disturbance, capacity, and the risk of robbing.
How a Frame Feeder Works
A frame feeder is a simple, effective design. It is a plastic or wooden container built to the same dimensions as a hive frame, allowing it to be slotted directly into the brood box or a honey super.
In-Hive Design
The feeder replaces one or two frames inside the hive. This internal placement keeps the sugar syrup at the same ambient temperature as the hive, preventing it from getting too cold for the bees to consume. Most hold between a half-gallon and a full gallon of syrup.
Preventing Drowning
Because they are essentially open reservoirs of liquid, frame feeders require a mechanism to prevent bees from drowning. Many come with built-in plastic floats, ladders, or textured inner walls. Some beekeepers also add materials like dried grass or wood shavings to give bees more surface area to stand on.
The Primary Advantage: Internal Placement
The defining feature of a frame feeder is its placement within the hive. This offers two significant benefits that external feeders cannot match.
Feeding During Cooler Weather
External feeders, like entrance feeders, expose syrup to the outside air, causing it to freeze or become too cold in cooler temperatures. A frame feeder keeps the food source inside the insulated hive, making it accessible during early spring and late fall when supplemental feeding is often critical.
Reducing Robbing
An open food source outside the hive can trigger robbing behavior from other bee colonies or wasps. By keeping the syrup contained entirely within the hive, frame feeders significantly reduce the scent signature and make the food source inaccessible to outsiders.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While effective, frame feeders have notable drawbacks that make them less ideal for certain situations. Understanding these limitations is key to using them properly.
Refilling Can Be Disruptive
To refill a frame feeder, you must open the hive, pull out the feeder, and pour in more syrup. This is more invasive than using a top feeder or entrance feeder, which can be refilled with minimal disturbance to the colony.
The Cold Weather Paradox
While frame feeders are better than external feeders in the cold, they are not a perfect solution. In deep winter, bees form a tight cluster to stay warm and will not break it to travel to a food source. If the feeder is not directly next to the cluster, the bees may starve even with a full feeder just inches away.
Limited Capacity
Compared to large-capacity top feeders, which can hold several gallons, frame feeders are smaller. During periods of heavy feeding, such as preparing a colony for winter, this smaller capacity means you will need to refill them more frequently.
Risk of Spillage
Care must be taken when filling a frame feeder inside the hive. Spilling syrup down into the hive can drown bees, attract pests, and encourage robbing if it leaks out the entrance.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Selecting the right feeder is a strategic decision. Base your choice on the season, the strength of your colony, and your management style.
- If your primary focus is stimulating a spring build-up: A frame feeder is an excellent choice to provide a warm, protected food source close to the brood nest.
- If your primary focus is bulk feeding with minimal disturbance: A top feeder is superior due to its large capacity and ease of refilling without breaking into the brood area.
- If your primary focus is simple, visible feeding in warm weather: An entrance feeder is easy to monitor and refill, but only suitable when the risk of robbing and cold is low.
- If your primary focus is preventing robbing at all costs: A frame feeder provides the best protection by keeping the entire food source contained within the hive.
Understanding these trade-offs allows you to select the right tool for the right season, ensuring your colony has the resources it needs to thrive.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Frame Feeder | Top Feeder | Entrance Feeder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Season | Cool Weather (Spring/Fall) | All Seasons (Bulk Feeding) | Warm Weather Only |
| Robbing Risk | Low (Internal) | Low-Moderate | High |
| Capacity | 0.5 - 1 Gallon | 2+ Gallons | Small |
| Hive Disturbance | High (Refill) | Low | Low |
| Cold Weather Use | Good (Internal) | Good | Poor |
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