The feeder determines how quickly the colony takes the feed, how many bees drown, and how great the robbing risk is.

The types

• Top feeder: On the frames under the cover. Large capacity, little disturbance, low robbing risk
• Frame feeder: Takes the place of a frame. Close to the cluster and therefore usable in cold weather; costs brood space
• Round feeder over the hole: Easy to fill and check without opening the hive
• Entrance feeder: Convenient but high robbing risk; best avoided during a dearth

Preventing drowning

The most underestimated point. A feeder without a ladder costs hundreds of bees per filling.

• A floating grid, cork or straw
• A ribbed or roughened inner wall
• A raised wall the bees can climb

Choosing by season

• Autumn: Large capacity is practical; much must be given in a short time
• Cold weather: Close to the cluster; anything further is not reached
• Small units: A small feeder, or proportionally too many bees drown

Material

Food-grade plastic or timber. Everything contacting syrup falls under the same requirement as food contact.

Hygiene

• Clean between uses and dry completely
• Leftover syrup ferments and goes mouldy
• Do not move between colonies without cleaning — a feeder is a transmission route
• Leave no detergent residue

Robbing

Feed inside the hive, in the late afternoon, without spillage, with entrances reduced — and feed all colonies at once.

The boundary

Do not feed with supers on.