Easy way to make a top feeder?

[richhitch]

HI, I'am going to capture a feral hive soon. I have built a lang hive and need a idea on building a top feeder. I'm thinking just a jar or bucket. Do any of you have a good plan for me. THANKS

[no1cowboy]

http://www.beesource.com/plans/index.htm

[mike haney]

a gallon paint bucket is all i ever use . no problems as yet. good luck,mike

[LenInNorCal]

I built a box the size of the bee hive, painted the inside with some goop/sealer/plastic resin to keep water inside. The box was the size of the hive so it would sit on top of the hive while inside with the top cover board, like the normal hive. But in the middle of the box there was an access point 3/8" for the girls. So there would really be two wells inside the box, or two boxes with a 3/8" wide gap between the walls. Could look right down into the super between the two wells when you take the cover lid off. I don't know about an "easy way" but it is a way to do what you are asking. Put floaty stuff in there, like styrafoam or cork board so when you put the sugar/water solution in they don't drown.

[BoBn]

Check your grocery store deli and/or school cafeteria for used 1 gallon pickle jars. Poke 3 or 4 small (1/8" holes) in the lids from the inside out (so that the sharp edges are out). Use these full of syrup ( or honey) inverted over the hole in an inner cover.

One big advantage of a hive top feeder (vs other types) is that the bees will draw comb below the feeder.


-BoB

[LenInNorCal]

Check your grocery store deli and/or school cafeteria for used 1 gallon pickle jars. Poke 3 or 4 small (1/8" holes) in the lids from the inside out (so that the sharp edges are out). Use these full of syrup ( or honey) inverted over the hole in an inner cover. -BoB

Doesn't the syrup dribble out into the hive? I mean a gallon of wet over a short time is bad, no? Or do they get it that quickly?

[Carl F]

The jar/pail must be sealed air tight other than your few small holes. The feed will not drip other then a few drops right when you first invert it. The surface tension of the fluid in that small of an opening will not allow the fluid inside and the air outside to trade places until the bees consume enough feed to create some vacuum inside the jar that will then pull air into the jar. If you could watch right at that moment you would see small bubbles going from the hole to the air space at the top of the inverted jar.

I may be all wet as far as the scientific terms and principals I am explaining but that is the idea... same as the water bottle with the little metal spout that is inverted into a hamster cage. Prove it to yourself by making you jar, putting some water in it and turning it upside down over a sink or something.

[Caz]

I use the 'new style' plastic coffee cans. The lids are easy to punch small holes in and they snap on tight enough to not let air in after they have been inverted. Plus the hold ~ 3 quarts so they are a convenient size for me. Caz(Ky)

[richhitch]

Thanks everyone. Its very nice to have this forum to get answers to your questions from people that are interested in the same things as you. Thanks again to everyone and have a great day.:)

[magnet-man]

Here is one more quick one. The convenience stores in Tulsa use a plastic drink cup with a thick plastic cap. Just drill some 1/16 in holes in the top. I do put put tape on the straw hole though. Holds 32 ounces.

[livetrappingbymatt]

use a gallon zip lock bag. fill 3/4 full,lay on frames cut x in top.
bob