Kelley's Plastic top feeder.

[kopeck]

I just cleaned and packed my Plastic drop in (as in it drops into a shallow super) feeder and wanted to share a few thoughts.

First off, I didn't have any drowning issues like I had read about before.

I did have a problem with the syrup crystallizing on the screen. Little did I know that a layer had built up and was keeping the bees from the syrup. I'm pretty sure this happed towards the end of the season when they where not willing to go up and get it so it wasn't to big a deal but still I could see where it could be an issue.

I think I'm going to make some of the more conventional style feeders for next year.

K

[Fred Bee]

First off, I didn't have any drowning issues like I had read about before.
K

Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck with the feeder like you mentioned. The "drowning bee" thing was a big problem for me. Now, I use 5 lb jars of syrup with several small holes punched in the lid...then I invert them over the inner cover. Put an empty hive body over that for protection with a top. Seems to work with the least problems for me. Best wishes...

[BULLSEYE BILL]

The best thing you can do with those is to put a bead of silicone around the screen before you start using them. Or if you have a lot of wax, you can do the same thing with wax.

I have had problems with the bees getting through the gaps in the screen. I have also seen the screen rust away and made even larger gaps.

Another problem is that the plastic is fragile. I have four of them that need to be patched from rough handling. The ridge on the bottom is prone to denting and forming leaks.