- Providing Raw Honey, Beekeeping Supplies, & Bee Education Since 2002.
Feeding Methods for Bees
Spring Swarm Management
September 6, 2020
Mountain Camp Feeding
October 20, 2020
Entrance or Boardman Feeder - Not Recommended
- Sugar water can spoil quickly in heat.
- Sugar water can become too hot for bees to consume.
- Can cause robbing.
- Refill more often. Most entrance feeders are quart jars & some colonies can consume a gallon of feed per day.
- Some medicines, such as Fumagilin-B are destroyed by exposure to sunlight.
Entrance or Boardman Feeder
Entrance feeder
Open Feeding (Pollen & Sugar Water) - Not Recommended
- Attracts pests & predators like yellow jackets, wasps, etc. to your apiary
- Diseases (nosema) & parasites (varroa) can be easily transmitted.
- Can cause robbing scenarios.
- Bees waste a lot of pollen this way.
- Cannot quickly gauge intake on each hive.
- Weak colonies will not get fed easily.
- Commercial beekeepers open feed – less time consuming (economical).
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- Pollen Feeder
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- open feeder
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- open feeder
Divisional Feeding - Acceptable Method
- Bees do not have to move up to colder, traditional hive top feeders.
- Can be used in nucs & hives.
- Will reduce robbing.
- Cap & ladder system works well to prevent drowning.
- Replaces one to three frames depending on size. Takes up space in the hive
Divisional Feeder
Divisional Feeder - Cap & Ladder System
Hive Top Feeder - Best Method
- Available for 8 & 10 frame.
- Will hold 3-4 gallons.
- Can last 6-8 days (depending on colonies).
- Can easily refill without disturbing bees.
- Will reduce robbing.
Hive Top Feeder
