For ease of use, a Boardman Feeder typically includes a wooden or plastic base and a perforated 70mm cap. This setup is specifically designed to work with a standard, regular-mouth mason jar, which the beekeeper usually provides, allowing for quick checks and refills at the hive entrance.
The Boardman Feeder's primary advantage is its simple, external design that allows for fast refilling. However, this same design creates a significant risk of hive robbing, making it suitable only for specific, low-risk situations.
Deconstructing the Boardman Feeder
The Boardman Feeder, also known as an entrance feeder, is valued for its simplicity. Its effectiveness and safety depend entirely on understanding its three core components.
The Feeder Base
This is the platform, typically made of wood or plastic, that sits on the hive's bottom board, right at the entrance. It has a channel that allows bees to access the food source from inside the hive.
The Perforated Cap
The feeder includes a specialized 70mm cap with small holes. This cap fits a standard "regular mouth" mason jar, which is a common and inexpensive household item.
The holes are small enough to prevent the syrup from pouring out but large enough for the bees to drink through. Many beekeepers keep an extra cap and filled jar ready for a near-instant swap.
The Inverted Jar (User-Supplied)
A key feature is its use of a standard mason jar. The beekeeper fills the jar with sugar water, screws on the perforated cap, and inverts it onto the base at the hive entrance. The jar is almost always supplied by the user, not included with the base and cap.
How the Design Enables "Easy Use"
The Boardman's reputation for being user-friendly comes from three distinct design characteristics.
External Placement
Because the entire feeder sits outside the hive, a beekeeper can check the syrup level and refill the jar without opening the hive. This minimizes disturbance and stress to the colony.
Visual Level Checks
Using a clear glass mason jar means you can see exactly how much syrup is left from a distance. This is a significant advantage over internal feeders that require you to open the hive for inspection.
Quick Jar Swaps
Refilling is as simple as unscrewing the empty jar and replacing it with a full one. This process takes only seconds and avoids any mess or disruption at the hive entrance.
Understanding the Trade-offs: The Critical Risk of Robbing
The Boardman Feeder’s greatest strength—its external placement—is also its most critical weakness.
An Open Invitation to Robbers
Placing a sugar source directly at the hive's entrance is like putting up a giant sign for every bee, wasp, and ant in the area. The scent of syrup can easily attract foragers from other, stronger hives.
Triggering a Robbing Frenzy
Once outsider bees find this easy food source, they may try to force their way into the hive to steal the colony's internal stores. This event, known as robbing, can quickly lead to the collapse and death of a weak or small colony.
The Problem of Placement
The risk is highest during a nectar dearth (when natural forage is scarce) or when feeding a new or weak colony that cannot adequately defend its entrance. Internal feeders, which keep the syrup's scent contained within the hive, do not present this same level of risk.
Making the Right Choice for Your Hive
Choosing a feeder is about matching the tool to your specific environment and goal.
- If your primary focus is convenience in an isolated apiary: The Boardman Feeder can be an effective tool, provided there are no other hives nearby to create robbing pressure.
- If you are beekeeping in an urban/suburban area or have weaker hives: The robbing risk is too high; an internal feeder (like a frame or top feeder) is a much safer choice for feeding syrup.
- If your goal is to provide water, not sugar syrup: The Boardman Feeder is an excellent and safe choice, as water does not attract robbers and the entrance placement is convenient for the bees.
Ultimately, understanding a tool's limitations is the key to using it effectively and ensuring the health of your colony.
Summary Table:
| Component | Description | User-Supplied? |
|---|---|---|
| Feeder Base | Wooden/plastic platform that sits at the hive entrance. | No, included. |
| Perforated Cap | 70mm cap with small holes for a regular-mouth mason jar. | No, included. |
| Mason Jar | Standard jar for holding sugar syrup or water. | Yes, typically not included. |
| Key Feature | Benefit | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|
| External Placement | Quick refills without opening the hive. | High risk of attracting robbers. |
| Visual Level Check | See syrup levels from a distance. | Scent of syrup can trigger robbing frenzy. |
| Quick Jar Swaps | Refill in seconds with a pre-filled jar. | Unsuitable for weak hives or areas with other colonies. |
Equip Your Apiary with the Right Feeder from HONESTBEE
Choosing the correct feeding equipment is critical for maintaining colony health and maximizing honey production. While the Boardman Feeder has its place, internal feeders are often a safer and more effective choice for commercial beekeepers and distributors managing multiple hives.
HONESTBEE supplies a full range of durable, high-quality beekeeping supplies and equipment designed for the demands of commercial apiaries and wholesale distributors. Our product line includes various feeder options to suit your specific operational needs and local conditions.
Let our experts help you select the optimal equipment to improve your feeding efficiency and protect your investment.
Contact HONESTBEE today to discuss your wholesale needs and ensure your colonies thrive.
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