View Full Version : Where are the drowned bees?
Batlash
06-23-2006, 11:22 AM
Ok I used a feeder inside the box type that hangs with the frames, and some of you recommended not useing them because of drowning. I pulled it out yesterday to check it and refill. it was empty, completely empty, dry but no dead bees? did they pack them out? or does the ladder inside the feeder work? what about a top feeder? i have seen a couple of those advertised.
also forced in one more frame for a total of 9 with the feeder. had to cut out some comb that they were building in the space between the frames.
thanks Jim
CWBees
06-23-2006, 11:25 AM
When the bees finish up the suger syrup in my division board feeder I don't see any dead bees that drowned . I think they cart them off as part of there hive cleaning chores.
Michael Bush
06-23-2006, 12:25 PM
>did they pack them out?
Yes.
> or does the ladder inside the feeder work?
It's bound to help.
> what about a top feeder?
Some people love them. They are hard to lift off if you need to look in the hive and the feeder is full. If they leak it's a disaster. Depending on the design and how tight the lid is sometimes a lot of robbers get in and drown or the locals drown.
> i have seen a couple of those advertised.
also forced in one more frame for a total of 9 with the feeder. had to cut out some comb that they were building in the space between the frames.
Most frame feeders take up 1 1/2" frame's worth of space. You usualy have to pull another frame.
I used a top feeder (heavy styrofoam). Although it is advertised as preventing drowning, I had a floating logjam of dead bees to clear every time I refilled. It did, however, do the job. Right now, I use it for watering. The bees seem to like it.
Gene Weitzel
06-23-2006, 01:14 PM
I built the Miller type hive top feeder from the plans on this site. I modified it by eliminating all the hardware cloth and the peices that are designed to allow the syrup to flow under and prevent the bees getting into the reservoir(the ones labeled "A" on the plans). It then becomes basically a tray with a slot down the center to allow the bees access. I use baggie feeders in the two "reservoirs" that would normally hold the syrup. I have almost no drownings and the baggies keep the syrup much fresher. I have noticed that a few SHB's will slip into the slits in the baggies and then are trapped and drown, serves the little buggers right!