Activity around the feeders above top board

[JonnyPicklechin]

I have a single brood box readying fur winter. I'm giving them two 4 pinters as you can see from the attached picture with 1kg sugar/1pint water syrup.

Last 4 days or so the girls have been increasingly crowding around as shown in the pictures. I'm not concerned but query if there is a space issue. I fancied putting a super underneath for extra space but will hold off and keep them cosy.

?

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[Show me the honey]

Picture is hard to see on my device as it's so large but the bees shouldn't be able to get into that part of the hive? The feeder holes in the crownboard should be their only way up and that is into the feeder. It looks like that piece of wood is lifting the feeder off the crownboard given them enough space to get inside. They won't need more space this time of year Sorry if I'm wrong just going on what I can see

 

[Anduril]

If your crownboard has the 2 holes for porter bee escapes you only use the centre one for feeding and one rapid feeder, the other hole should be blocked, the bees then are unable to go above the crownboard and only into the feeder

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Picture is hard to see on my device as it's so large but the bees shouldn't be able to get into that part of the hive? The feeder holes in the crownboard should be their only way up and that is into the feeder. It looks like that piece of wood is lifting the feeder off the crownboard given them enough space to get inside. They won't need more space this time of year Sorry if I'm wrong just going on what I can see

Yes they have spacer under so I can leave some air. If thats unnecessary I can remove.?

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[JonnyPicklechin]

If your crownboard has the 2 holes for porter bee escapes you only use the centre one for feeding and one rapid feeder, the other hole should be blocked, the bees then are unable to go above the crownboard and only into the feeder

I guess you live and learn... Have never blocked and always kept open. I can block the holes or use for both feeders? I take it there is worry from anyone about the use of two feeders?

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[Show me the honey]

Yes they have spacer under so I can leave some air. If thats unnecessary I can remove.?

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Yes I would remove it as it's not needed. I run OMF with both holes blocked when not feeding (just a bit thin ply) with 50mm solid insulation in the roof space.

I only use 1 feeder at a time

 

[Anduril]

I guess you live and learn... Have never blocked and always kept open. I can block the holes or use for both feeders? I take it there is worry from anyone about the use of two feeders?

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If you were using an English feeder then you would only use one hole, same with 4 pint rapid feeder.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Yes they have spacer under so I can leave some air.

sufficient air comes in via the entrance and OMF. the only hole in the crownboard EVER should be to allow access to the feeder.
At all other times, cover the holes