The primary purpose of a pro feeder is to provide supplemental liquid food to a honeybee colony directly within the hive. It is an internal feeder designed to take the place of one or two frames inside a standard Langstroth hive box, allowing beekeepers to deliver sugar syrup to bees during times of food scarcity without exposing the food source to outside elements or other hives.
While many tools exist to feed bees, the pro feeder's core advantage is its in-hive design. This protects the colony from the significant risks of robbing and weather exposure that are common with external feeders.
Why a Colony Needs Supplemental Feeding
A beekeeper's primary goal is to ensure the colony has the resources it needs to thrive. While bees are excellent foragers, there are specific situations where their natural food supply is insufficient.
Surviving a Nectar Dearth
A nectar dearth is a period when there are few or no nectar-producing flowers blooming. This can happen during late summer, droughts, or unseasonable weather.
During a dearth, a colony can quickly consume its stored honey. Feeding with sugar syrup provides the necessary carbohydrates to prevent starvation and ensure the colony's survival.
Establishing a New Colony
Newly installed packages or small nucleus colonies have a small workforce and no stored food reserves.
Providing a reliable source of syrup allows them to focus their energy on critical tasks like drawing out comb, raising new brood, and building up their population before the first major nectar flow.
Stimulating Brood Production
In early spring, a beekeeper might feed a colony to simulate a natural nectar flow. This encourages the queen to increase her egg-laying rate.
A larger population of forager bees ready for the main honey flow translates to a more productive and robust hive.
The Pro Feeder's Design and Function
The pro feeder is a simple but effective piece of equipment. Its design directly addresses the core need of delivering food safely and efficiently inside the hive.
An Internal Frame Replacement
Unlike entrance or top feeders, the pro feeder sits inside the brood box or honey super, replacing one or two frames. This integration makes the food source a natural part of the bees' environment.
The bees can easily access the syrup just as they would access cells of honey within the hive.
Capacity and Drowning Prevention
Pro feeders typically hold a large volume of syrup (one to two gallons), reducing the frequency of refills.
Most modern designs include built-in ladders, floats, or heavily textured interior walls. These features provide a surface for bees to cling to, dramatically reducing the risk of them falling into the syrup and drowning.
Understanding the Trade-offs
No single piece of beekeeping equipment is perfect for every situation. The pro feeder has clear benefits but also comes with drawbacks compared to other methods.
Advantage: Reduced Robbing
Because the feeder is entirely contained within the hive, it does not create an external food odor that can attract bees from neighboring colonies. This significantly reduces the risk of robbing, a behavior where stronger hives attack and steal resources from weaker ones.
Advantage: Weather Protection
The syrup is insulated by the hive body itself, keeping it from getting diluted by rain or becoming too cold for the bees to consume.
Disadvantage: Hive Intrusion
The biggest drawback is that refilling a pro feeder requires opening the hive. This disturbs the colony, breaks propolis seals, and exposes the bees and brood to the elements, which can be stressful for the colony.
Disadvantage: Occupies Frame Space
The feeder takes up valuable real estate inside the hive. This is space that the bees could otherwise be using to build comb for raising brood or storing their own honey and pollen.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Your decision to use a pro feeder should be based on the specific needs of your colony and your management style.
- If your primary focus is protecting a weak or new colony: The pro feeder is an excellent choice because it minimizes the risk of robbing from stronger hives.
- If your primary focus is convenience and minimal hive disturbance: An external top feeder or Boardman entrance feeder may be preferable, as they can be refilled without opening the hive (though they carry a higher risk of robbing).
- If your primary focus is simulating a nectar flow in a strong hive: The pro feeder's large capacity and internal placement make it a highly effective tool for stimulating rapid growth.
Ultimately, understanding how a pro feeder works empowers you to make an informed decision that directly contributes to the health and success of your bees.
Summary Table:
| Purpose | Key Benefit | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Feeding | Provides essential sugar syrup during nectar dearths | Occupies valuable frame space inside the hive |
| Colony Protection | Internal design drastically reduces risk of robbing | Requires opening the hive for refills, causing disturbance |
| Weather Resilience | Syrup is insulated from rain and cold by the hive body | Not as convenient to refill as some external feeders |
Equip your apiary with the right tools for success. The HONESTBEE Pro Feeder is designed for commercial beekeepers and distributors who prioritize colony safety and efficient feeding. Our wholesale-focused operations ensure you get durable, high-capacity equipment that supports strong, productive hives. Let's discuss your feeding strategy — contact our team today to learn more about our beekeeping supplies and equipment.
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