Feeding

[Erichalfbee]

There it is yes. In hindsight I should of waiting till it was empty then they wouldn't have been been so aggressive.

They are OK to give one feed and that's it. If you want to continue with this method I think the only way is to wait for it to empty and replace with another full one already prepared?
I've never used anything but a Miller feeder and a Rapid

Good luck I hope you get it sorted

 

[Levitt53]

Ok I've just been in again. Suited up this time. The poly one was empty of syrup but full of bees. I've moved it about 20 feet away so hopefully as it gets dark the bees will go home. That might not have been a good idea but couldn't think how else to get them off it. Got another sting for my troubles. I've closed up the hive now. I'll go out once it's properly dark, retrieve the feeder and see what I've done wrong with it. I definitely prefer Spring bees!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Ok I've just been in again. Suited up this time. The poly one was empty of syrup but full of bees. I've moved it about 20 feet away so hopefully as it gets dark the bees will go home. That might not have been a good idea but couldn't think how else to get them off it. Got another sting for my troubles. I've closed up the hive now. I'll go out once it's properly dark, retrieve the feeder and see what I've done wrong with it. I definitely prefer Spring bees!

If it's a contact feeder I suggest what you did wrong was using it
Any kind of feeder that can be filled / refilled in situ is preferable to a contact abomination in my opinion.

 

[Millet]

If it's a contact feeder I suggest what you did wrong was using it
Any kind of feeder that can be filled / refilled in situ is preferable to a contact abomination in my opinion.

Why ? .

 

[Erichalfbee]

I think they are impossible to locate without dribbling syrup all over the place (I tried only once though on a friends hive) and I hear they can leak disastrous quantities all over the frames if it gets cold?
The Americans seem very fond of them and they come in Nebuchadnezzar sizes

 

[Hivemaker.]

The Americans seem very fond of them

And so am I.

 

[Millet]

And so am I.

I made my own contact feeders last year out of big class jars with tin lids, each lid has around 20 /25 holes popped into them with about drawing pin size holes, i made many more than i needed so all i do is fill the empties at home, when i pop the hive open i simply change the empty ones for full ones, the only spills i get is on the crown board after a quick turn over.

Erica.... the ones you mention leaking , are they plastic ? , i experimented with plastic and they did seem too leak in cool weather, the glass ones just crystallized around the holes when it got that cold, but then it was time to stop feeding syrup.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes Plastic.
What size do you use Mr Hivemaker?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Yes Plastic.
What size do you use Mr Hivemaker?

From 1 liter and up to ten liter bucket size.

 

[Millet]

Yes Plastic.
What size do you use Mr Hivemaker?

I suppose it depends on how taught the plastic is , from my failed experiments on spilling syrup and covering the bees i found the weaker plastic walls concaved in cold weather and let the syrup leak out, the glass kept its shape and vacuum with little leakage, they may be another explanation for this from someone far more experienced but the glass contact feeders work for me on my one hive.

 

[madasafish]

I think they are impossible to locate without dribbling syrup all over the place (I tried only once though on a friends hive) and I hear they can leak disastrous quantities all over the frames if it gets cold?
The Americans seem very fond of them and they come in Nebuchadnezzar sizes

There are ways of using contact feeders without spilling any.. (or very little).
1. Don't fill to brim but leave a gap of about 3cms.
2. Before you invert, gently squeeze the sides together.
3. As you invert the feeder, release the squeeze.
##


It takes a little practise - try with water over the kitchen sink first. BUT the vacuum created as the sides spring back after being compressed saves a lot of fluid exiting.

And of course, have a funnel in a half empty bottle so you can catch anything you do spill.


## Kudos to N Staffs Chairman who taught me the trick.

 

[Erichalfbee]

There are ways of using contact feeders without spilling any.. (or very little).
1. Don't fill to brim but leave a gap of about 3cms.
2. Before you invert, gently squeeze the sides together.
3. As you invert the feeder, release the squeeze.
##


It takes a little practise - try with water over the kitchen sink first. BUT the vacuum created as the sides spring back after being compressed saves a lot of fluid exiting.

And of course, have a funnel in a half empty bottle so you can catch anything you do spill.


## Kudos to N Staffs Chairman who taught me the trick.

Good trick for those who like to use them. Mind you squeezing a 10 litre bucket of invert might be a job

 

[madasafish]

Good trick for those who like to use them. Mind you squeezing a 10 litre bucket of invert might be a job

What's your husband doing leaving you to do that?

)sits back and waits

 

[Erichalfbee]