Using a Beehive Feeder.

How is a hive top feeder configured with the hive bodies and supers?

Someone told me that the feeder just sits on top of my brood box and then an empty super put on top of that, sandwiching it between the two boxes...but one person said to just put the regular outer cover on the empty super to keep it covered...

another person said that I have to put vents into the super, and then put the cover on....

but the plastic top feeder already has vents built into it, so why do I have to butcher up my super with vents and screens to ventilate?

I'm confused...can you help? The hive top feeder is a Brushy Mountain product and is in the catalog.

Hi Scott

I believe you're getting different directions because different feeders need different treatment.

I'm guessing that the suggestion about putting a super above the brood box might be a misunderstanding. If one uses the type of feeder which is like an inverted gallon jar it is necessary to put an empty super or two simply so the roof can be put back on.

With the box style feeder, I can't see why there would be any need to put anything on top, other than a internal hive cover and the hive roof.

When dealing with honey bees, I like to compare what the bees might do in the wild with what we're trying to do with them.

The reason for feeding the colony at this time of the year is, presumably, because you think they don't have enough stores for the winter. If this is the case the bees should be allowed to get to the syrup without moving too far from the warmth of the cluster. The feeder box should be put directly on top of the brood frames, with no queen excluder, and filled with heavy syrup.

If the weather in your area is starting to improve, although I think Pennsylvania is probably too cold in mid-February, beekeepers often feed to stimulate the colony into building up their numbers ready for the spring. If this is the case I would use a lighter syrup.

The reason for the vents is to avoid condensation accumulating, produced by the bees evaporating water from the syrup. Make sure there is some ventilation to help the excess water escape. Beekeepers in England use matchsticks under the corners of the cover board to help with this. This is especially important if you have closed down the hive entrance.

It's best not use more water than necessary in the syrup, to feed no more than absolutely necessary until the weather improves and not allow the syrup to get moldy.

Try to keep the space above the brood to a minimum as the bigger the space, the more difficult it will be for the hive to maintain its temperature.

I hope that clarifies the situation, let us know if you need more information.

The Bee Guy