The Build It Yourself Page.
A collection of do-it-yourself projects for beekeepers.
A Hive Top Feeder You Can Build
by Chuck Howe, editor, Connecticut Honey Bee.
Below is a drawing of a hive top feeder which I am currently using, and like the best of all the feeders I have used. It is reasonably easy to construct and doesn't require any exotic materials. I thank Ansis Bergs for the inspiration to develop the improvements on some old designs and his skill in making prototypes for trials.
MATERIALS -
Marine or exterior plywood 5/8 in. or 3/4 in.
1 in. by 3 in. board
Nails or screws
Glue
Plexiglass
The bottom of the drawing is a cross section, as if the feeder were cut in half the long way. The top part of the drawing is a view from the top, as if you were looking down on the feeder.
The base of the feeder is cut from a sheet of plywood, all of the rest of the wood pieces are constructed from a 1 X 3 board. All of the wood pieces are glued together as they are nailed, or screwed, to assist in sealing the unit from leaks. The 1 inch holes by which the bees access the sugar syrup should be left for last to help locate them properly. Also the size of the holes may be decreased if there isn't sufficient room for a 1 in. hole.
The plexiglass cover is not mandatory for the feeder to function however, there a few advantages if it is installed. One, as long as the feeder is not empty it can be refilled without the bees flying out at you, or into the cold. Two, you can see the level of the syrup rising in the feeding area and can stop filling before an overflow occurs. Three, the bees are kept warmer in the feeding area, than if it was open to the inner cover or telescoping cover, therefore, the bees will take more feed in the cold weather. A few thumb tacks hold the plexiglass plate down. Also of note, the bees seem to have no difficulty in walking across it to the other side of the feeding area to get a drink.
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