Plastic frame feeders

[Meg]

Evening all,

Has anyone found any problems with bees drowning in the plastic frame feeders? I have heard one or two reports of this and wondered what the consensus was. Do you sand paper down the inside for a better grip? Also, do you provide a bigger, wooden float? (Some are wood already I know, but some are plastic and both seem a little on the small side to me.)

Thanks for your experiences.

Meg

 

[bees4u]

Evening all,

Has anyone found any problems with bees drowning in the plastic frame feeders? I have heard one or two reports of this and wondered what the consensus was. Do you sand paper down the inside for a better grip? Also, do you provide a bigger, wooden float? (Some are wood already I know, but some are plastic and both seem a little on the small side to me.)

Thanks for your experiences.

Meg

Hi Meg I had trouble with the new feeders with the stick getting wedged halfway down and had to shave the sides a wee bit for it to float properly. I use fine chopped straw in my own home made feeders, it's never let me down yet.

 

[Poly Hive]

Only plastic ones I have owned were black Langstroth ones and the inner side was ribbed and as a result there were very few casulities.

In general frame feeders do have drownings in my experience but that is part of the price of using to my mind a better feeder. That topic though is for another discussion.

Do you know of a National plastic frame feeder supplier if so please let me know.

PH

 

[justme]

I believe that most of the normal suppliers sell National frame feeders but I haven't heard of any with ribbed inards. Must say that does sound better than smooth.

 

[Poly Hive]

They do but plastic? Not seen a plassie nat yet. Want to mind?

PH

 

[Black Comb]

Hi

My yellow l/s one from MB have internal ribs and the floats are plastic. Not many drownings. These frame feeders need a slight modification as they are not perfect for top bee space. Once done work fine.

Big T had some National plastic frame feeders in their pre-Christmas sale. Beautiful shade of chocolate brown ! I bought a few. They come with wooden floats. Have not used them yet.

Have just this minute checked the inside and they are very smooth. Will need to rough them up before use.

 

[bees4u]

Evening all,

Has anyone found any problems with bees drowning in the plastic frame feeders? I have heard one or two reports of this and wondered what the consensus was. Do you sand paper down the inside for a better grip? Also, do you provide a bigger, wooden float? (Some are wood already I know, but some are plastic and both seem a little on the small side to me.)

Thanks for your experiences.

Meg

have a look at my feeder in the Albums, it's just a B&Q gravel tray, which has rough sides, tough and hold 3/4 gallon syrup and cost £1.69( page 3)

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have a p a y n e s poly nuc and when I used it last year I did get quite a few drowned bees in the feeder. So I substituted fondant for syrup.
This year I bought another,plus a couple of ekes,in the sale and what I am thinking of doing is cutting the feeder away to give me an extra frame and using the eke to enable feeding.
Will have to fine tune that idea .......

 

[Poly Hive]

All, with all respect, the discussion is on FRAME feeders not top feeders or home made ones...

Can any one tell me if there is such a thing as a Nat plastic frame feeder?

PH

 

[Black Comb]

With respect if you read my post yes there is.

apologies for not making it clear that Big T supply them and they are currently available on their website. I did not state this initially (I dare not post a link) for fear of being reprimanded about "commercialism".

Edit - they are now orange

 

[Erichalfbee]

Can any one tell me if there is such a thing as a Nat plastic frame feeder?

PH

Here

 

[oliver90owner]

Can any one tell me if there is such a thing as a Nat plastic frame feeder?



Post #6 on this thread: http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15984

 

[Skyhook]

All, with all respect, the discussion is on FRAME feeders not top feeders or home made ones...

Can any one tell me if there is such a thing as a Nat plastic frame feeder?

PH

Big T do one. I bought a couple of green ones in the sales, but I cant remember if they were T's or P's, cant see them on either now.

 

[Meg]

Thanks all,

Seems no experience of major drownings with plastic ones yet, but perhaps folks haven't had them for long enough? Think I will rough them up.

Pete, mine are National and came from the T sale. I also have a couple from Mays Moor which are very similar. If I can sort out the slippery sides then I think they will be very useful. Easier to clean and keep from leaking than the wooden ones, so less risk of nosema, wasp attack etc.

Meg

 

[Poly Hive]

Thanks for that I will check their cat in the morning.

PH

 

[Nic Rhodes]

Th**nes and Maisemore do plastic frame feeders for Nationals, however the latter one is large and does not fit in all National hives without modification.

 

[Skyhook]

Big T do one. I bought a couple of green ones in the sales, but I cant remember if they were T's or P's, cant see them on either now.

Here

Maisy Mores! Thats the ones!

 

[Holly Bees]

Same as above for me..for Langstroth... top bee space anyone recomend anyone/where (in plastic) Thanks

 

[Black Comb]

Sorry, are you looking for a l/s frame feeder in plastic?

 

[flytrapman]

I bought some of the ******** plastic feeders in the sales but have not used them yet