Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: bluetickdon on August 03, 2013, 01:06:08 am

Title: inner cover question
Post by: bluetickdon on August 03, 2013, 01:06:08 am
If I'm using a top hive feeder should I skip the inner and just use the outer top/cover
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Finski on August 03, 2013, 06:32:05 am
.
I have a special board for top feeder. I take inner cover off and put the 4 mm thik board under the feeder.
They are handy and easy to store. My feeders are 8 litre.
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: S.M.N.Bee on August 03, 2013, 12:40:15 pm
I just put my inner cover on top of my feeder. Then if I need to remove the feeder for any reason the cover is in a handy location.

John
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Dunkel on August 03, 2013, 01:38:10 pm
If you put it on top of the feeder make sure there are no vents in in around the rim if it is a open style feeder with out the flooats.  Don't ask how I found that out.  On the bright side only so many can drown before they create their own float :'(
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: RHBee on August 03, 2013, 01:42:05 pm
I use a 5.25qt (5L) inverted bucket feeder. I opened the inner cover hole to 4" (100mm) so the bees can access all the feeding area.

.u
I have a special board for top feeder. I take inner cover off and put the 4 mm thik board under the feeder.
They are handy and easy to store. My feeders are 8 litre.

Finski could you supply a link or picture of your feeders?
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: forrestcav on August 04, 2013, 12:34:11 am
how much space will you have between the feeder and the inner cover? I use a double quart jar feeder over the inner cover hole. Then I put a deep on and the outer cover. As a side not to that if you build your own add 1/8 hardware to the inside, so when you change feeder they don't come out all curious, ask me how I know.
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Finski on August 04, 2013, 01:08:57 am
how much space will you have between the feeder


i have 10 mm gap between frames and feeder. The hive warms up directly the bottom of feeder. Often i put over the feeder news paper sheets that  syrup remains warm over night.
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Michael Bush on August 05, 2013, 09:46:49 am
The important thing is that bees can't get in the top of the top feeder.  Many inner covers come with a notch and that can create a top entrance which can result in thousands of drowned bees.  If it's notched, I would take it off.
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: bluetickdon on August 05, 2013, 11:13:39 am
It is notched but my feeder has the floats in it. Looks like a small super bees come up from the middle. Could prolly put the feeder on top of inner cover. Bees come through the hole in the cover. Shrug
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: RHBee on August 05, 2013, 11:44:57 am
The dual tank feeder I used to use was made of black plastic. It was hollow underneath. If I installed it without the inner cover under it my bees built comb in the hollow spaces.
I just put the top cover on, it sealed well enough to keep bees out.
Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Michael Bush on August 05, 2013, 11:58:22 am
>It is notched but my feeder has the floats in it.

You still don't want robbers sneaking in the top...

Title: Re: inner cover question
Post by: Hemlock on August 07, 2013, 10:03:07 pm
An inner cover below the Hive Top feeder can restrict bees going up to feed.

An Inner Cover above the Hive Top feeder can mold very quickly due to moisture.

Remove the Inner cover and place the Hive Top feeder in a shim you can make at home.  drill a few holes in it and cover them with #8 Hardware cloth.  This will let the moisture vent and keep mold from developing under the main cover.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img203/9436/i9w6.jpg)

Hers is mold forming on the main cover.  You can wax it to seal it from moisture


(http://imageshack.us/a/img707/7476/udpb.jpg)