Bees still drowning

[greengumbo]

I have one of those MB ashforth feeders with the perspex insert.

Last year I had a lot of bees falling in and drowning. This time round I repainted the entrance to the feeder and the trough edges and sprinkled sand on to give them a rough edge to cling to. This has helped a lot but there are still some bees that seem to like flinging themselves in.

Any ideas or adjustments people here have used ? I think I tried wee balsa floats last year that worked for a short time but were not perfect.

 

[alecthomson]

Use vermiculite granules which will float on syrup but still allow bees to feed without drowning.

 

[weebee]

Try the plastic mesh folded down into the feeding solution. I have minimal losses with this.

 

[greengumbo]

Use vermiculite granules which will float on syrup but still allow bees to feed without drowning.

Great idea. Will try this.

 

[Tom Bick]

I don’t know the exact feeder but I assume similar to others and a good fistful of grass or some straw works for me.

 

[Stiffy]

I float polystyrene packaging in my feeders and it seems to work well.
S

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I use a couple of plant support sticks. Float on the top of the liquid but allow enough space to feed.

Dusty

 

[Easy Beesy]

I use those wooden stirring sticks that pass as spoons in coffee houses - just grab a handful every time I'm in.