At its core, an entrance feeder, often called a Boardman feeder, works by using a vacuum to dispense sugar syrup from an inverted jar into a small tray. This tray is positioned at the entrance of the hive, allowing bees to access the feed from inside while the main reservoir remains outside for easy monitoring and refilling.
The entrance feeder is a tool of convenience and visibility. While its design is simple and allows for easy monitoring without disturbing the colony, its external placement creates a significant risk of attracting robber bees, making it suitable only for specific situations.
The Mechanics of an Entrance Feeder
Understanding how this simple device operates is key to using it effectively and avoiding common problems like leaks or attracting pests.
The Vacuum-Feed Principle
The feeder relies on a basic physics principle. An inverted, sealed jar of syrup creates a vacuum that prevents the liquid from rushing out all at once.
As bees consume the syrup from the tray, a small amount of air enters the jar, releasing just enough syrup to refill the tray. This ensures a slow, controlled supply.
The Feeding Tray and Access
The plastic or wooden base has two main parts. One is the tray that holds the syrup, which slides a few inches into the hive entrance.
The other part remains outside the hive and holds the inverted jar. Small holes or a channel allow bees inside the hive to access the syrup in the tray without having to go outside. The walls of the tray are often textured to prevent bees from drowning.
Setup and Placement
To use the feeder, you fill a standard small-mouthed mason jar with syrup, screw on the perforated cap, and invert it onto the base.
You then slide the tray portion into the hive's entrance. It is critical to ensure the entire feeder is perfectly level to prevent the syrup from leaking out, which would attract pests and waste feed.
Why and When to Use an Entrance Feeder
Feeding is not a constant activity but a strategic intervention. An entrance feeder is a tool for specific, often short-term, goals.
Establishing New Colonies
When you install a new package of bees or a nucleus hive, they have no stored food and minimal drawn comb. Providing syrup gives them the energy needed to build comb, feed the brood, and support the queen.
Stimulating Early Spring Growth
Feeding a light 1:1 syrup (one part sugar to one part water) in early spring can simulate a nectar flow. This encourages the queen to begin laying eggs and helps the colony build its population ahead of the first major bloom.
Addressing a Nectar Dearth
During a summer lull between major flower blooms, a "nectar dearth" can occur. Light feeding can sustain a colony and prevent it from consuming all its winter stores prematurely. However, feeding during a dearth also dramatically increases robbing risk.
Understanding the Trade-offs
No piece of beekeeping equipment is perfect. The entrance feeder's greatest strengths are directly linked to its most significant weaknesses.
Pro: Unmatched Visibility
Because the jar is outside the hive, you can see the syrup level at a glance from yards away. This is the primary advantage over internal feeders.
This allows you to monitor consumption rates without opening the hive, providing valuable insight into the colony's strength and needs while minimizing disturbance.
Pro: Simple to Clean and Refill
The entire unit is external, making it exceptionally easy to remove, clean, and refill without disrupting the bees' activity. This helps maintain good hive hygiene.
Con: The High Risk of Robbing
This is the most critical drawback. The scent of sugar syrup located at the hive entrance is a powerful beacon for bees from other hives, as well as wasps and ants.
Using an entrance feeder during a nectar dearth or in the late summer and fall when colonies are strong can easily trigger a robbing frenzy, which can destroy a weak colony.
Con: Limited Capacity and Exposure
Entrance feeders use small jars, typically 1-quart (or ~1 liter). A strong colony can empty this in a day or less, requiring frequent refilling. The external placement also exposes the syrup to sunlight and temperature fluctuations, which can cause it to degrade or ferment more quickly than syrup inside an insulated hive.
Making the Right Choice for Your Colony
The entrance feeder is a useful tool, but only when applied correctly. Your decision should be based entirely on your specific goal and the time of year.
- If you are installing a new, small colony in spring: An entrance feeder is an excellent choice for its visibility and ease of use when robbing pressure is low.
- If you need to stimulate a weak hive in early spring: This feeder works well, as you can closely monitor the small amount of feed being taken.
- If it's late summer, fall, or there is a known nectar dearth: Do not use an entrance feeder. The risk of robbing is too high; choose an internal feeder like a top or frame feeder instead.
- If you need to feed a large volume for winter preparation: An entrance feeder is impractical due to its small capacity. Use a large-volume internal feeder.
By matching the tool to the task, you can effectively support your bees while avoiding the common pitfalls of this convenient but situational feeder.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| How It Works | Uses a vacuum in an inverted jar to slowly dispense syrup into a tray at the hive entrance. |
| Best For | New colonies in spring, stimulating weak hives, and situations with low robbing risk. |
| Key Advantage | Easy visibility of syrup levels and simple refilling without opening the hive. |
| Main Drawback | High risk of attracting robber bees from other hives, especially during a nectar dearth. |
Equip Your Apiary with the Right Feeder for Every Season
Choosing the correct feeding equipment is crucial for maintaining strong, productive colonies. At HONESTBEE, we supply commercial apiaries and beekeeping equipment distributors with durable, high-performance supplies through our wholesale-focused operations.
Let us help you select the optimal feeders—from entrance feeders for spring starts to internal feeders for fall preparation—to support your bees' health and your operation's efficiency.
Contact HONESTBEE today to discuss your wholesale needs and ensure your hives are properly equipped for success.
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