This is my first year keeping bees and I purchased a couple of wooden top feeders to start off a couple of new packages in 8 frame equipment. In no time at all the bees started building burr comb in the feeder entrance. My reading about beespace (3/8") says if more space is given the bees will build burr or bracing comb. That being the case, why do the manufacturers of wooden top feeders have an entryway of 7/8"? The feeders I purchased were from Dadant and had no screen, just the entryway, then over the board, and a little wooden raft on each side. I don't know if other manufacturers have a 3/8" entryway. How about you folks? What is your experience?
I have the same feeders but I don't worry about the burr comb ladders I did find out that after feeding them with sugar water or etc. I had to take the floats out because they give the small hive beetles a place to hide from the bees.
That just happened to me yesterday. I pulled up the floats and the beetles scattered. The bees immediately grabbed them & I smashed the rest! I guess corks might be a replacement option.
Interestingly enough, the entry gap was half filled with comb and BROOD. Also, my feeder leaked so I could only use one side for feeding. They built heavy comb in the unused side. Fortunately, we don't have hive beetles in Washington, yet. I would like to get or make one of the wooden top feeders with the screening on it so I can feed without disturbing the bees. The gap size, though, still confuses me. Why are the commercial ones so much larger than 3/8"?
FatBeeMan's website, dixiebeesupply.com. You can buy the feeders or the plans to make your own. They are simple, easy to make, work great and don't drown hardly any bees. I used the ones you have from Brushy Mt. They're ok, but I redesigned them to be better.
I decided to figure out how to post a picture and revisit this topic. My hope was that someone that makes top feeders would reply and explain why the large opening is necessary.
I recently finished making two of these. I had it figured to be 3/8" space for the center entrance and then 3/8" between the cover screen the top rail they crawl over. I hate to say it, but my dad was right about that 'measure twice and cut once' stuff. I faileld to account for the 1/4" of kerf that i slid the bottom board into. I used a router to shave off some of the top rail, but it darn sure doesn;t look pretty anymore. Fortunately, few people will be seeing something inside the hive When i get my nucs instaleld and feeding I'll get some pictures of it to share. With luck, I'll not have burr comb up there.
Personally, I would welcome the extra harvest of wax.
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