What is the best way to feed?

[gkempf]

What is the best way to feed bees in the spring?

top feeder or bottom feeder?

My bees are a half mile from my house and i have been feeding just in my back yard, but that don't do them much good when it is snowing like it is today...

[pdmattox]

I like the top feeder option, it is easier for me and less chances of starting a robbing frenzy.

[TwT]

Top Feeder !!!!!!!!!!

[tig]

i have some drowning issues with the top feeders even with floaters

[Kathyp]

bucket feeders if you have a SBB.

[Dane Bramage]

Feeder frames work also (mine have wood floats inside + wood inserts to prevent warping as well).

[Michael Bush]

How about this one:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm

[TwT]

i have some drowning issues with the top feeders even with floaters

I have not had a problem with drowning, I have lose 1-5 bee's a week but thats about it, all my feeders that I built are setup like this beemax feeder , plus I have some beemax feeders also....

http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=409

[AllanJ]

I am using a hive top feeder and the problem I have is that they have built comb between the top of the frames to the bottom of the feeder. It looks like a third of the hive is directly under the feeder..

http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2194sf2.jpg

I am curious how to get them out when I remove the feeder.. I am a bit unsure about smacking the feeder down onto the hive and trying to dislodge them.. 

I am beginning to think that the best feeder is a pail feeding through the hole in the inner cover or the baggie feeder.

[pdmattox]

Here is how i feed. (top feeder jar)

[TwT]

I am using a hive top feeder and the problem I have is that they have built comb between the top of the frames to the bottom of the feeder. It looks like a third of the hive is directly under the feeder..

http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2194sf2.jpg

I am curious how to get them out when I remove the feeder.. I am a bit unsure about smacking the feeder down onto the hive and trying to dislodge them.. 

I am beginning to think that the best feeder is a pail feeding through the hole in the inner cover or the baggie feeder.

use your smoker when you remove the top, smoke them good and it will chace them from the feeder then remove the feeder.....

[KONASDAD]

I have Mann Lake's version of the top and too many bees die. I am now using foam tape to fix any nook and cranny, but still too many bees are drowning , although less. i will experiment w/ zip-lock bag method as soon as it warms up.

[Michael Bush]

>What is the best way to feed bees in the spring?

In warm weather I love a miller feeder or a Rapid Feeder (www.beeworks.com).  The kind where the bees only have a 3/8" access to the syrup and I can fill without facing bees.  But in cold weather the bees won't touch it.  In cold weather a jar feeder directly over the cluster works the best.  Next best, in cool weather, is a baggie feeder.  Next best, in cool weather, is a frame feeder.

There is no best feeder.

I'm going to try the Jay Smith bottom board feeders next...

[AllanJ]

MB, what is the difference between the Rapid Feeder and a pail feeder or beeworks contact feeder?

Thanks.

[Michael Bush]

>MB, what is the difference between the Rapid Feeder and a pail feeder

A pail feeder is face down (the holes are on the bottom) on top of the hive or the cluster.  The Rapid feeder works more like a miller feeder where the bees come up and over to get down into the syrup.  They have limited access so there is little drowning and no leaking.  The down sides of the pail feeders are that you have to face some bees to fill them and they sometimes leak.  The up side is the bees can get better access in the cold and they are cheap.

> or beeworks contact feeder?

I haven't had one, but it looks like a pail feeder to me.