Hive top feeders are high-capacity reservoirs designed to sit directly on top of the bee colony's broodnest. They offer a balance of convenience and volume, allowing beekeepers to provide substantial amounts of syrup without disturbing the colony’s core activities.
Core Takeaway Hive top feeders are the premier choice for volume feeding in cooler weather because they utilize the colony's rising heat to keep syrup accessible. However, their bulk and weight when full make them difficult to move, and without proper maintenance, they can become a hazard for drowning bees or mold growth.
The Mechanics and Design
Strategic Placement
A hive top feeder is a box-like unit placed directly on top of the brood boxes but underneath the outer hive cover. This positioning is critical because it places the food source immediately above the cluster of bees.
Thermal Efficiency
Because heat naturally rises from the colony, the syrup in a top feeder is warmed by the bees below. This allows the colony to feed even when outside temperatures drop, a significant advantage over external feeders that may become too cold for bees to access.
Advantages for the Beekeeper
High Volume Capacity
The primary benefit of this design is its ability to hold a large quantity of syrup. This reduces the frequency of refills, making it an excellent choice for beekeepers who cannot visit their apiary daily during heavy feeding periods.
Non-Intrusive Refilling
Refilling is highly convenient and less disruptive to the colony. You only need to remove the outer hive cover to pour in more syrup. This means you can feed the bees without opening the broodnest or disturbing the cluster's internal temperature and organization.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Risk of Bee Mortality
Despite design features intended to provide safe footing, bees often drown in these feeders. It is common to find dead bees floating in the syrup, which can contaminate the feed and reduce colony numbers.
Handling and Mobility Issues
Once filled, these feeders are extremely heavy and cumbersome. If you need to move the feeder for an inspection, the syrup can easily slosh out, creating a sticky mess that attracts robber bees and ants.
Sanitation and Mold
Hygiene is a persistent challenge with top feeders. Without the use of a mold inhibitor, a "paste" composed of mold, syrup, and dead bees can form inside the reservoir. This requires regular monitoring and cleaning to prevent illness in the colony.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When deciding if a hive top feeder is the right equipment for your apiary, consider your specific management style:
- If your primary focus is rapid weight gain for winter: This is your best option, as the large capacity and thermal benefits allow bees to take down syrup quickly in cool autumn weather.
- If your primary focus is mobility and frequent inspection: You may find these feeders frustrating, as moving a heavy, liquid-filled box to check frames is physically difficult and messy.
Choose a hive top feeder when you need to maximize food uptake with minimal daily maintenance.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Hive Top Feeder Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Placement | Directly on top of brood boxes, under the outer cover |
| Capacity | High volume; reduces the frequency of refills |
| Thermal Efficiency | Utilizes rising colony heat to keep syrup warm and accessible |
| Key Advantage | Non-intrusive refilling without opening the broodnest |
| Key Challenge | Risk of bee drowning and heavy weight when full |
| Maintenance | Requires mold inhibitors and regular cleaning |
Scaling Your Apiary Operations with HONESTBEE
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