What is a Honey Bee Feeder?

What is a Honey Bee Feeder?

Honey bee feeders are essential tools in beekeeping, providing bees with supplemental food when natural nectar sources are scarce, such as during the colder months or during periods of drought. While bees naturally collect nectar from flowers to make honey, there are times when supplemental feeding is necessary to ensure the health and survival of the colony. A honey bee feeder helps ensure that the bees have enough food to maintain their hive and thrive. In this article, we will explore what a honey bee feeder is, why it’s important, the different types of feeders, and when to use them.

What is a Honey Bee Feeder?

A honey bee feeder is a device used by beekeepers to provide bees with additional food, typically in the form of sugar syrup, when natural food sources are unavailable or insufficient. This is particularly important during the fall and winter months when flowers are not in bloom and bees are unable to forage for nectar. It can also be used during periods of heavy rain, early spring, or after a colony has been split.

Beekeepers generally use feeders to give the bees enough nourishment to maintain the hive’s population, strength, and overall health. If bees run out of food during these critical periods, they can become weak or even perish, which is why having a reliable feeding system in place is crucial to successful beekeeping.

Why is a Honey Bee Feeder Important?

Beekeepers rely on honey bee feeders for several reasons:

1. Supplemental Nutrition: During periods of nectar scarcity, a honey bee feeder provides the necessary sugar syrup, which the bees can consume to supplement their natural food sources. This helps the bees maintain the energy required for various hive tasks, such as maintaining the brood (young bees), foraging, and defending the hive.

2. Support Over Winter: One of the most critical times to use a honey bee feeder is in the fall and early winter. As flowers begin to die off and nectar sources are no longer available, beekeepers provide sugar syrup to ensure the colony has enough food to survive the winter months when they are unable to forage. Sugar syrup mimics the nectar bees would typically collect from flowers, providing the hive with a consistent food supply.

3. Stimulating Hive Growth: In early spring, or after a hive has been divided (split), bees may need extra food to stimulate brood production. A bee feeder provides the necessary nutrition to support the expansion of the colony.

4. Preventing Starvation: If a colony runs out of stored honey or nectar, they can starve, leading to the collapse of the hive. Honey bee feeders prevent this risk by ensuring that bees have enough to eat when their natural resources are low.

5. Helping Bees Transition to Stored Honey: Beekeepers may use a honey bee feeder to feed bees sugar syrup when they are transitioning to stored honey after a harvest. This helps the bees develop the necessary stores for the coming winter.

Types of Honey Bee Feeders

There are several types of honey bee feeders available to beekeepers, each with different designs and benefits. The type of feeder used depends on the beekeeper’s preference, the needs of the bees, and the specific conditions of the hive. Below are the most common types of bee feeders:

1. Boardman Feeder

A Boardman feeder is one of the simplest and most common types of bee feeders. It consists of a small container or jar filled with sugar syrup that is attached to the entrance of the hive. The container typically has a hole in the lid, allowing bees to access the syrup when they are hungry. Boardman feeders are easy to use, inexpensive, and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for many beekeepers.

The main drawback of this type of feeder is that it may attract unwanted pests like ants or wasps. Beekeepers often use Boardman feeders during warm weather or when they want to supplement the bees' food supply during nectar shortages.

2. Top Feeder

A top feeder is positioned inside the hive, typically placed above the brood frames. It consists of a shallow container, often with a grid or mesh to prevent the bees from drowning in the syrup. Top feeders are ideal for feeding large quantities of syrup to a colony without interfering with the bees' natural foraging activity. These feeders also help to maintain the heat within the hive, which can be beneficial during cooler months.

There are different variations of top feeders, such as those that are tray-style or box-style, and some include a cover to prevent the syrup from evaporating. The top feeder is an excellent choice for feeding bees in the fall or early spring, as it allows for continuous access to food without the risk of running out of syrup too quickly.

3. Frame Feeder

A frame feeder is another common option and fits into the hive like a regular frame. It is typically placed between the brood frames and is filled with sugar syrup. This type of feeder is great for feeding bees in a way that doesn’t disturb the structure of the hive. Frame feeders have the advantage of being hidden from view, so they don’t attract pests, and they can provide a large volume of syrup for the bees to consume over time.

The downside of a frame feeder is that it requires periodic maintenance to ensure it’s filled and that the syrup doesn’t become contaminated. Some frame feeders are also harder to clean than other types.

4. Invertible Jar Feeder

Invertible jar feeders are simple feeders that consist of a jar filled with sugar syrup placed upside down over a small opening in the hive. The bees access the syrup as it slowly drips out of the jar. This type of feeder is typically used for short-term feeding, such as during a nectar dearth or when bees are just starting to build their hive.

One advantage of jar feeders is their convenience, as they can be easily refilled or replaced when necessary. However, they do have the risk of dripping syrup outside the hive, which can attract pests like ants or rodents if not monitored closely.

5. Hive-top Feeder

Hive-top feeders are placed above the frames of the hive, often as a shallow box with a cover. This type of feeder is especially useful for large colonies that require a substantial amount of syrup. The bees can access the syrup through small holes or openings, and the hive-top feeder is designed to be easy to fill and maintain. These feeders are great for winter feeding when bees are more confined within the hive and need consistent access to food.

When to Use a Honey Bee Feeder

The ideal time to use a honey bee feeder depends on the needs of your colony:

1. Spring: If your bees are rebuilding their hive or if nectar is scarce, supplemental feeding can help stimulate brood production and hive growth.

2. Fall/Winter: When natural nectar sources are scarce, bees need extra food to survive the winter. Feeding sugar syrup before the cold weather sets in helps ensure the bees have enough stored food.

3. During Nectar Shortages: If there is a drought or a sudden lack of flowers in the area, a feeder can help the bees stay nourished until nectar becomes available again.

Conclusion

Honey bee feeders are invaluable tools for beekeepers, helping to ensure the well-being of the colony when natural nectar sources are limited. From Boardman feeders to hive-top feeders, each type has its own benefits and is suited for specific situations. Properly feeding your bees not only helps them survive harsh weather conditions but also stimulates healthy growth and ensures the longevity of the hive. By understanding the different types of feeders and knowing when to use them, beekeepers can keep their colonies strong, healthy, and productive.