Division board feeders, also known as frame feeders, are internal reservoirs designed to replace one or two standard frames within the hive body. Available in one or two-gallon sizes, these feeders sit directly inside the brood nest, allowing bees to access syrup even when outside temperatures drop.
Core Takeaway Division board feeders are powerful tools for rapid feeding during the cool weather of spring and fall, offering high capacity and robbery protection. However, they come with significant maintenance liabilities, including the necessity of intrusive refilling, the loss of brood space, and a persistent risk of bees drowning.
Strategic Advantages
Internal Climate Control
The primary benefit of a division board feeder is its location inside the hive. Because the syrup is kept closer to the ambient temperature of the colony, bees can access the feed at cooler temperatures.
External feeders, such as entrance feeders, often become inaccessible to bees when temperatures drop (typically into the low 50s Fahrenheit). Division board feeders solve this problem, making them ideal for early spring or late fall.
Theft Prevention
Because the syrup is fully contained inside the hive box, these feeders significantly reduce the likelihood of robbing.
Scout bees from other colonies or pests are less likely to detect and raid the syrup compared to entrance or open feeding methods.
High-Volume Consumption
These feeders facilitate rapid consumption of syrup. Their large capacity (up to two gallons) and placement in the brood nest allow the colony to take down feed quickly during peak demand periods.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Operational Intrusion
The most notable operational drawback is that the beekeeper must open the hive to refill the feeder.
This process disrupts the colony's internal environment and temperature. Unlike external feeders, you cannot monitor the syrup levels at a glance; you must physically inspect the interior.
Loss of Hive Real Estate
Using a division board feeder requires a sacrifice of physical space. It reduces the area available for the queen to lay eggs (brood) and for the colony to store food.
The Drowning Risk
Despite safety features like rough sides, ladders, or floats, bees frequently drown in these feeders.
This is a persistent issue that requires vigilance. Beekeepers often find significant numbers of dead bees inside the reservoir, which can spoil the remaining syrup.
Structural and Maintenance Issues
Division board feeders are prone to several physical defects that can complicate hive management:
- Comb Building: If the feeder is allowed to go empty, bees often build rogue comb inside it.
- Warping: Plastic models may bulge or widen when filled, making it difficult to remove or manipulate adjacent frames.
- Leaking: Glued versions are known to develop leaks, dumping syrup into the hive.
- Propolis Buildup: Bees may cement floats to the container walls with propolis, rendering the safety mechanism useless.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Ideally, division board feeders are best utilized during specific seasonal windows rather than as a year-round solution.
- If your primary focus is feeding during cold snaps: This is your best option, as bees can access the syrup when entrance feeders become too cold to use.
- If your primary focus is rapid colony buildup: The high capacity and accessibility allow for the quick caloric intake needed in spring and fall.
- If your primary focus is minimizing colony disturbance: You should avoid this feeder, as refilling it requires opening the hive and disrupting the bees.
Select this feeder when the need for temperature protection and volume outweighs the inconvenience of invasive refills.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Strategic Advantages | Operational Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Bees access syrup in cold weather (early spring/late fall) | Requires opening hive, disrupting internal climate |
| Capacity | High-volume (1-2 gallons) for rapid colony buildup | Takes up brood frame space, reducing egg-laying area |
| Security | Internal placement prevents robbing from other bees | Risk of bees drowning in the syrup reservoir |
| Maintenance | Discreetly stored inside the hive body | Potential for leaking, warping, and propolis buildup |
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