Feeding is done with a feeder. Which type you choose determines how quickly the colony takes the feed, how many bees drown, and how great the risk of robbing is.

The types

• Top feeder: Sits 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, so usable in cold weather; costs brood space
• Round feeder over the hole: Simple to fill and check
• Entrance feeder: Convenient but high robbing risk; best avoided during a dearth

Preventing drowning

This is the most underestimated point. A feeder without a ladder or float 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

Robbing

Feeding is one of the commonest triggers of robbing.

• Feed inside the hive, never in the open
• Feed in the late afternoon
• Spill no syrup
• Reduce entrances during the feeding period
• Feed all colonies at once; uneven feeding puts weak ones under pressure

Fondant and dry sugar

For winter emergency feeding, fondant or solid sugar is placed above the cluster. The bees need water to take it up, so it is no substitute for timely autumn feeding.

Pollen substitutes

Protein patties are placed near the brood nest. Natural pollen is better, but where it is lacking, brood rearing can be sustained this way.

Hygiene

• Clean feeders between uses and dry them completely
• Leftover syrup ferments and goes mouldy
• Do not move feeders between colonies without cleaning
• Use food-grade materials

The boundary

Do not feed with supers on. The bees process the syrup and store it; what comes out is not honey.