View Full Version : Feeder for Dry Pollen Substitute
Beemeister
12-12-2006, 08:43 AM
Have any of you designed a clever, weatherproof type of feeder for feeding dry pollen substitute to the bees early in the season before natural pollen becomes readily available?
What I've usually done is put a dining hall tray on the cover of one of the hives and place a deep super around it to keep the wind from blowing the powder away. I cover it at night and during bad weather. I'm looking for a system that I don't have to monitor as much and I don't have to close up in bad weather.
Are there any designs that you have tried or ideas that you have been toying with?
Thanks.
Tim
honeyman46408
12-12-2006, 10:12 AM
Bird feeder
Michael Bush
12-12-2006, 05:59 PM
I use an empty hive with a solid bottom board and a lid and just dump the pollen in. Tipped slightly forward, of course to keep the rain out.
BULLSEYE BILL
12-12-2006, 07:23 PM
I have used a nuc in the same manor as MB, but the feeder that I like the most is a hollow log laying on its side.
It should be elevated to keep rodents out and perpendicular to the wind. It gives easy and open access to the pollen and a good cleansing area on the outside of the log for grooming before flight.
sierrabees
12-12-2006, 08:31 PM
I've tried bird feeders and found out the birds like the pollen substitute better than the bees do. I tried a few other things that haven't worked very well so I'm going to try a new idea. I noticed a bunch of one gallon water bottles that have handles in the lid. I'm going to drill 3/8 inch holes around the upper part where they angle toward the top and put a cone shaped cover on the attachment hook large enough to keep the rain off. I will paint the outside a dark color to keep the bees from trying to get out the clear plastic, leaving a thin strip clear so I can monitor what is left inside. They will hang from a tree in the bee yard to keep critters away and the 3/8 inch holes will not allow the birds access. The idea seems sound and the cost is right but I won't know if it works or not for a while.
The best thing that I have found is a blue rat poison feeder from Mann Lake in Woodland CA. Cost about $40.00 and will hold about 25#.
Nick Noyes
12-17-2006, 10:39 AM
The rat poison feeders are the way to go. They kind of look like a chicken feeder. There is little to no waste with these units.
Sherpa1
12-17-2006, 03:52 PM
Ishi,
What is the item # on the rat poison feeder. I cannot find it on the Mann Lake site. Thanks.
Beemeister
12-17-2006, 07:27 PM
I didn't see it in the Mann Lake catalog either. Maybe it is just stocked in the CA branch. I probably spent more than an hour checking out sites that I Googled, but I haven't found anything that looks like a chicken feeder yet. It sounds like a good idea and I'd really like to see one.
Tim
I use old drums, on their side, one peryard. I fill a hive top with flour, and set it inside.
It is what many beekeepers here do. Weather proof and cheap, easy for the bees to access
Sorry for the delay I wasnt on last night, looked on the invoice
Product # FD-115 Bee Pro Pollen feeder $39.95
I just did a search at the Mann Lake site for FD-115 and did not get any results guess you have to call.