miller top feeders

[danno]

I was looking at the beemaster forum this morning and someone asked about finishing the inside of these top feeders. I used the beesource plans complete with urathaine finished inside but many said they didn't approve in this. Some said use nothing some said wax. What are the thoughts here

[NorthALABeeKeep]

I use spar urethane. Two coats. Makes it real waterprof.

[Barry]

Who said they don't approve? What nerve! Who are those guys? What is beekeeping coming to? I have failed to meet everyone's approval! :o :D

[BigDaddyDS]

Here's my thoughts:

1) If you can use nothing, and not have leaks, then do that. I'm not that lucky, however. Mine always leak a little.

2) Some hive top feeders that I've received from other beekeepers have used beeswax to seal the cracks. It seems to work, for a while. Unfortunately, the wax gets brittle and the leaks start again. But, if you can get the wax to work for you, go for it.

3) Lastly, in my opinion aquarium grade silicone sealer is the obvious choice. And unless someone can definitively tell me why this near-food grade sealer is harmful to the bees, I'll stick with it. It seems to be semi-permanent (meaning that I can peel it off if I choose to) and is non-toxic, even to tropical fish. It's easy to apply and is relatively cheap, too. Regular RTV silicone sealer *may* give off fumes and impart off flavors, but the aquarium grade I know doesn't.

DS

[Alex Cantacuzene]

We have used Miller Top Feeders for quite some time. Just two of them as we are hobbyists. We built them to the plans on this board and really like them. The main thing is that the cover on them has to be flush on the bottom to prevent those critters crawling through and drowning. Also the screen trough ends have to be tight. We coated ours with fiberglass resin after making them fit tight in the corners and the seams. We let them air out for about two weeks before using them. They are tight with no problems. After use we clean them thoroughly and let them dry out for quite some time. An occasional re-coating of the the other sections with poly-urethane also helps. Take care and have fun

[beemandan]

I've used Camcote epoxy paint. Its food grade and lasts forever....so far. Its messy so I use disposable brushes.

[ScadsOBees]

Who said they don't approve? What nerve! Who are those guys? What is beekeeping coming to? I have failed to meet everyone's approval! :o :D

First PETA, now your own board is turning on you!!!

I used a single coat of polyurethane to seal the plywood, and beeswax to make sure that the joints were sealed. No problems or issues. The bees also will seal it from the bottom.

Rick

[Hill's Hivery]

I use a single coat of poly and beeswax to seal all the joints. I also modified the plans by putting screen over the entire top of the feeder. I too was having problems with some of the girls working their way into the top. No I fill my feeders through the screen without problam and NO drownings.

(I was finally able to put away all them darn mini life preservers!):D

[danno]

has anyone tried running a strip of sill sealer foam stapled around the top to seal off any spaces and prevent them from squeezing through and drowning

[paintingpreacher]

In my area the hive beetles take over the top feeders since the bees cannot get to them.
I have had to use the baggie feeders this spring and even with them the beetles hide underneath the bags, between the bags and the frames.