Feeding Methods for Bees

Spring Swarm Management

Mountain Camp Feeding

September 11, 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).

: pollen feeder

: open feeding

: chick 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.

Notes:

- Do not use inner covers or top screens with hive top feeders. Roof sits directly on top of feeder.
- To prevent bee drowning, insure that the bees can not access the water reservoirs directly. The metal screen prevents them from accessing the entire reservoir. The bees use the wire to climb on to access water level. Put a bead of silicone caulk around the edges of the metal screen to plug up any tiny holes the bees may be able to get through.