So, the bees are struggling to get out of their hives with all
this wet weather and the question arises – how are they feeding when rain keeps
them indoors? Plus, during those rare moments of clear skies - I see heaps of
bees on the lawn chasing grass pollen – this action by the bees in the past, usually
means a dearth of other pollen and nectar sources.
I did place a sugar water mix out in middle of yards but
only ants found it
So, an inhive feeder is needed. Another impetus is when I start
revving up bees towards making some queens late January, I want them practiced
with a top feeder, so plenty of brood available to create the cell builder
hive.
First to research of pros and cons of the plethora of feeder
types out there
There are very easy ‘pale’ or upside down bucket feeders but
bees have to exit the hive to feed – and as wet season continues – difficult
There are frame feeders but they require main hive to be opened –
which I want to avoid
Bees need to access but I don’t them drowning or exiting the
hive that way. As too want ease of filling.
So the top feeder is the go as I can simply remove lid and pour - minimal fuss
But the ones’s found online start at $20 and go up from
there
Was going to make a CAD version and 3D print but need it
larger than the printing platform I have.
So what to do – I spent a few weeks searching for the just the
right tray which I could add a fitting to with a touch of clear silicone to
increase water tight properties, heaps of videos and web pages that cover the reasons for this and that when it comes to feeders.
So with all my ideas rattling around in my head and a few sketches made - it realy came down to what I could get as cheap as possible - I started with a $4 tray from bunnings, criteria was to fit
into one of my shallow supers I would convert to a feeder tray.
This conversion required the removal and storage of frames from the super - then some 3mm ply I had left over from other projects nailed and glued on bottom of box then five holes drilled – one in each corner for air flow and one in middle for bee access
To give the 3mm ply a bit more rigidity – I add in a 35x19 crossbar.
The vent holes in corners get a layer of fly screen, while
hole in middle if for bees to access feeder.
some models research had access in corners for when hive not level - but mine are ensured to be level - so will avoid that extra complication and focus on just the one access point.
I couldn’t find just the right fitting so trimmed half of
one part to ensure an almost flush level on bottom of base ply
A 46 mm hole drilled in base of plastic tray, add the silicone and
screw together both parts– using a finger to touch up and smooth silicone after fitting is positioned
I also glues some aluminium mesh on inside and outside of
fitting to give bees a ladder type access.
And there you have it – just place on boxes and pour sugar water in top, bees have easy access to feed but
not to me
Fits right on top of brood box or super - when required, however required but definitely the uppermost box
Total cost - $4 tray and $3.20 for fitting– the rest what I already
had around- that’s better than $20+ each of a pre-made one that might not even fit my homemade boxes. Took about 3 hours on a rainy arvo to
build ten trays and adjust super boxes. Awesome!
