Entrance Feeder(s)

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Thanks guys. I am just going to use my top feeders instead.

[TwT]

April why dont you go with top feeders? they are easier to refill (without a suit or vail) and you dont cause robbing like you do with a entrance feeder.

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April why dont you go with top feeders? they are easier to refill (without a suit or vail) and you dont cause robbing like you do with a entrance feeder.

Actually I already have top feeders but I have heard some say how much of a pain it is to inspect the hive with these on. I will be getting my first package of bees next week and another package next month and thought that maybe until the colonies get built up a bit it would be better to use an entrance feeder since I will be making frequent inspections at first. Any thoughts?

[Bee-Bop]

If you insist on using boardman feeders, give the new bees a break, put it on the center of bottom board, place a block of wood on each side of it, leaving a gap of about 1/2 in on each end.

That way if robbers try to enter, they have to enter on the ends and cross inside the hive to get to the feeder. This helps the few guard bees in a new hive.

Personally I perfer a Qt. Jar on top of the top board with a empty hive box then the cover.

Everyone has their own way.
Bee-Bop

[kathyp]

we probably all have them around because they are horrible and we don't use them.   

two easy ways to feed without having to get into hive.  use bucket feeder on top of inner cover, or as bee-bop does.  use something like 1 gallon quail  waterer with rocks in the dish 50 feet or so from hives.

[iddee]

Devil's advocate here.

I use entrance feeders regularly. I have never seen a hive with a feeder on get robbed before June. They are easy to change, easy to check, and you don't need to open the hive. After June 1st, I use them to open feed away from the hives. I also use top feeders, but not on hives I want to check often. Only on ones that will be left alone for an extended period.

Similar to bee bop, I put the feeder on the outside of the entrance, then block the entrance beside it, leaving only a small opening on the opposite side.

[Chef Isaac]

I have plenty of them.