Badgerbees Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 I'm a new beekeeper but I know I need to feed my bees this September, preferably by mid-September. I'm also on holiday the first 2 weeks of September. Traditional beekeepers just use a huge feeder (3 gallon) and leave it. What is the best way to keep my bees fed while I'm away, as a big feeder wont fit a beehaus will it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Large feeders that fit onto a National should fit a beehaus, as I believe that the cross-sectional area is the same as a National. So long as it makes a fit and is bee tight, then there should be no problem. Get your tape measure out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Just to say not all feeders are 3 gallon monsters! I have a much smaller contact feeder for my hives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 I also use a smaller contact feeder - it needs refilling more frequently, but it's got my bees through two winters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Make sure you remember to do a varroa treatment before you overwinter them as well - we didn't last autumn as ours was a relatively new colony, by the spring the varroa had reached critical levels and we have been practicing backwards, beginner beekeeping ever since! Our second hive now has its Apiguard on, and should have enough stores to not need feeding in the autumn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 The beehaus uses half supers doesn't it? And omlet supply a contact feeder I think. I've never like these. Will one of these fit on top where two supers would go Look the measurements up on Maisemore's site. http://www.bees-online.co.uk/view.asp?ID=1176 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Feeding before the winter should be using a rapid feeder (contact will do, but not as good). I use smaller rapid feeders, as mentioned earlier, rather than 3 gallon ones. However, we have the advantage that the bees are in our garden and not an out apiary. Hence we can refill every night (yes, they can take down that much...) I'm not sure if one of these will fit in a Dartington super. Alternatively, buy a national super to put on while you are feeding, as they should be a fit (if I have read my Dartington plans correctly). A Dartington super could easily be converted into a rapid feeder and not be too heavy for the hive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillJenkins Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I just wanted to update this ancient thread as I had a similar question and ended up buying this rapid feeder: http://www.thorne.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1641 You can see a video of it in action here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
