Inside the hive feeders are specialized reservoirs engineered to reside directly within the hive body, integrated into the colony's internal architecture. By positioning the food source inside the hive structure, these feeders allow bees to access supplemental nutrition safely while shielded from wind, rain, and external pests.
Internal feeders prioritize colony security and accessibility by placing liquid syrup directly into the brood box or super. This design ensures bees can feed regardless of weather conditions while significantly reducing the likelihood of attracting robber bees from other colonies.
The Mechanics of Integration
Fitting into the Hive Structure
These feeders are not external attachments; they are designed to fit directly within the hive body.
They typically mimic the dimensions of standard hive components. This allows them to slot seamlessly into the existing setup without requiring modifications to the exterior box or lid.
Protected Access
The core operational principle is weather-independent access.
Because the food source is located internally, bees do not need to leave the safety of the cluster to feed. This is critical during cold snaps or rain, where external foraging would be dangerous or impossible.
Specific Design Variations
Frame Feeders
This subtype is engineered to occupy the same space as a standard honeycomb frame.
A frame feeder holds liquid sugar syrup and is inserted into the hive body just like a regular frame. It places the food source immediately adjacent to the brood nest, making it highly accessible for nurse bees.
Division Board Feeders
Similar to frame feeders, these are placed specifically between two frames.
They function as a reservoir for syrup but also act as a divider. By restricting the open surface area of the syrup, they aim to provide sustenance while managing the internal space of the hive.
Strategic Advantages
Minimizing Robbing Risks
A major design goal of inside the hive feeders is the prevention of robbing behavior.
External feeders can attract wasps, ants, and stronger colonies that may attack the hive to steal food. By keeping the syrup inside, the scent is contained, and the colony can defend the resource more easily at the hive entrance.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Internal Space Usage
Because these feeders fit inside the hive, they inherently displace potential comb space.
Using a frame feeder means sacrificing a slot that could otherwise be used for brood rearing or honey storage. You are trading storage capacity for secure feeding.
Operational Access
While convenient for the bees, these feeders require the beekeeper to open the hive to monitor or refill them.
This can be disruptive to the colony compared to external feeders, which can often be refilled without exposing the hive's interior to the elements or disturbing the bees.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To determine if an inside the hive feeder is the correct tool for your apiary, consider your specific environmental constraints.
- If your primary focus is feeding during poor weather: Choose an internal feeder to ensure bees can access syrup without exposing themselves to cold or rain.
- If your primary focus is preventing theft: Select a division board or frame feeder to contain the scent of sugar syrup and minimize the risk of robbing by other colonies.
Internal feeders offer the highest level of security for the colony, prioritizing resource protection over beekeeper convenience.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Frame/Division Board Feeders | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Internal (replaces a standard frame) | Maximizes colony security and warmth |
| Access | Direct access within the cluster | Enables feeding during cold or rainy weather |
| Robbing Prevention | Contained scent inside the hive body | Minimizes attraction of wasps and robber bees |
| Design Focus | Mimics hive component dimensions | Seamless integration without exterior modifications |
| Primary Use | Emergency feeding and spring stimulation | High accessibility for nurse bees near the brood |
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