Top feeder needed

 

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

For the cover – I used a takeaway container with holes drilled in the highest edge 

To position the cover, I used hot glue gun to place some skewers in one layer in a position of three arms. Also a layer on this to keep cover in place .

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!

we shall see how they go - update report to follow