Bucket Feeder

[ashley hunter]

Having tried several types of feeder I get on well with the bucket type with the mesh covered hole in the center. My problem is when i come to refill I am often faced by a mass of bees swarming out of the hole in the crown board. i use a glass perspex square as a cover and try and slip that over the hole to stop the bees from pouring out though this is easier said than done, often trapping bees if I am not slick in the process ( like the other evening in semi darkness .... yes i know not ideal !! ) and I get very angry bees.

Question - has anyone out there got a nifty trick or two up their sleeves to allow the hole to be covered with the minimum of fuss whilst the bucket is refilled and replaced.

It may be that I just have to become a bit slicker in my operation and perhaps light my smoker ??

 

[Beefriendly]

Get rid of your current feeder and go for a rapid feeder such as below, you can refill with impunity.

 

[madasafish]

Water mister helps..

 

[Beersmith]

As a beginner the first feeder I ever purchased was a bucket type. Like you I did not find refilling all that easy. It was messy and slow. Now I will happily admit this was mainly my own lack of competence, but it was rather frustrating. I am still a beginner, but have switched to using rapid style feeders, as recommended by Beefriendly. Quick, easy and minimal disturbance. Given the difficulties you report, I'm a bit puzzled as to how you "get on well with the bucket type".

 

[Millet]

My first feeders where 1lb jars with holes punched into the lids with a strong pin.. contact feeders we call them me thinks..i now have a different system and feeders..

 

[Walrus]

Having tried several types of feeder I get on well with the bucket type with the mesh covered hole in the center. My problem is when i come to refill I am often faced by a mass of bees swarming out of the hole in the crown board. i use a glass perspex square as a cover and try and slip that over the hole to stop the bees from pouring out though this is easier said than done, often trapping bees if I am not slick in the process ( like the other evening in semi darkness .... yes i know not ideal !! ) and I get very angry bees.

Question - has anyone out there got a nifty trick or two up their sleeves to allow the hole to be covered with the minimum of fuss whilst the bucket is refilled and replaced.

It may be that I just have to become a bit slicker in my operation and perhaps light my smoker ??

You could just keep a piece of plywood on the cover board next to the feeder & when you want to remove the feeder just slide the plywood under the feeder to cover the hole.

 

[ashley hunter]

Thank you for all your help ... think I will just have to up my game or change feeder ... I did try rapid feeders but didn’t like the numbers of drowned bees I had - May just have to accept the odd fatality.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Having tried several types of feeder I get on well with the bucket type with the mesh covered hole in the center. My problem is when i come to refill I am often faced by a mass of bees swarming out of the hole in the crown board. i use a glass perspex square as a cover and try and slip that over the hole to stop the bees from pouring out though this is easier said than done, often trapping bees if I am not slick in the process ( like the other evening in semi darkness .... yes i know not ideal !! ) and I get very angry bees.

Question - has anyone out there got a nifty trick or two up their sleeves to allow the hole to be covered with the minimum of fuss whilst the bucket is refilled and replaced.

It may be that I just have to become a bit slicker in my operation and perhaps light my smoker ??

I've found toping up feeders in the morning better the bee's are less likely to fly up at you .
Also waiting to the next day after there empty to top up as it's cooler in the morning now they're less likely to be near the crown board hole .
No need to light the smoker - my smoker is only used these days to clear bee's from the top of frames and edges of boxes .
I've found that smoking the bee's for inspections can really pxxx them of, sorry I'm waffling on here..

As soon as you open a hive they will gorge without smoke any way.

 

[Popparand]

I've found toping up feeders in the morning better the bee's are less likely to fly up at you .
Also waiting to the next day after there empty to top up as it's cooler in the morning now they're less likely to be near the crown board hole .
No need to light the smoker - my smoker is only used these days to clear bee's from the top of frames and edges of boxes .
I've found that smoking the bee's for inspections can really pxxx them of, sorry I'm waffling on here..

As soon as you open a hive they will gorge without smoke any way.

I agree with CGF about smoke. We were taught always to smoke a hive before taking the crown board off. Now I find that at most one little whiff is enough and unless I am opening up the brood nest I hardly use any smoke at all.

It may also be because when you've been doing it for a while your confidence grows and the bees sense this...pheromones etc.

The bees do seem a lot calmer. Maybe it's just because this lot have grown to like me

 

[Curly green finger's]

I agree with CGF about smoke. We were taught always to smoke a hive before taking the crown board off. Now I find that at most one little whiff is enough and unless I am opening up the brood nest I hardly use any smoke at all.

It may also be because when you've been doing it for a while your confidence grows and the bees sense this...pheromones etc.

The bees do seem a lot calmer. Maybe it's just because this lot have grown to like me

Two beekeepers agreeing .
About some part any way !