Feeding Your Bees
Types of Feeders
There are three main types of feeders you can use
for starter colonies:
-
Tray Feeder
-- This is a large box type feeder that sits on
top of your hive. Access for the bees to the
syrup is either on the end or in the middle.
This is a large capacity feeder which can hold
thirty (30) pounds or more of syrup and is
recommended for use in fall feedings.
-
Feeder Pails
-- Come in two sizes: fifteen (15) and thirty
(30) pound size. Has a stainless steel mesh in
the middle of the cover. This pail is inverted
over the hole in the crown board (inner cover).
This provides access for the bees. If you are
using feeder pails, you must place an empty
super over the pail and then cover it with an
outer cover.
-
Frame Feeder
-- This is usually a plastic frame-sized
container that can be inserted in the hive in
place of a frame removed from the deep super
(brood chamber). This type of feeder must have
some kind of flotation that allows bees to reach
the syrup without drowning. A piece of wood cut
to fit makes a good float. Remember as the
colony grows to remove the feeder and replace
the frame removed.
Boardman Feeder
-- These are the simplest to use, no
manipulation of the hive is necessary. But there
are Robbing and Ant issues.
Although ants seem to be less of an issue as the
bees tend to keep them away from the lid of the
jar, Boardman feeders are the worst when it
comes to robbing. It is impossible to install a
Boardman feeder without spilling some syrup on
the hive or ground, which is an attractant for
robbing bees.
Your package or nucleus colony should be fed sugar
syrup to help them build quickly. As well, these
bees are stressed either form a long trip or being
removed from a parent hive and are susceptible to
nosema disease. The feeding of
Fumidil B as a
preventative measure helps to ensure a healthy
colony. As well,
Terramycin (Oxytet) can be added to
prevent
foulbrood disease.
The
recommended dosage is:
-
Fumidil B -- 1 rounded teaspoon per gallon
-
Terramycin (Oxytet TM-25) -- 2 teaspoons per
gallon
The
sugar syrup may be either 2:1 or 1:1; that is, two
parts sugar to one part water (by volume), or one part sugar to
one part water (by weight).
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