Using a top feeder

One Saturday morning “The Way to Bee,” Frederick Dunn featured a top feeder from Ceracell in New Zealand. It caught my eye because it looked like an Olympic swimming pool.

So I ordered one from Piero, along with a 2 1/2 gallon jug of Pro-Sweet. The Ceracell feeder has a chimney feeding station in the middle and one in each corner. I followed Fred's suggestion to add a little strip of sponge to each corner that the bees can use as a ladder. I also covered it with a piece of plexiglass to keep it clean, and so I could see how they were using it.

I knew that I had made a mistake as soon as I poured the jug of Pro-Sweet into the feeder. It was full to the brim, and so heavy that I would never be able to lift it off for inspections. I had no idea how long it would take my bees to drink that much, although I know now that half that amount would have been fine.

What to do? I had never siphoned gas from a car, but think that I understand the basic idea. So I siphoned about half of the liquid feed back into the jug.

With that task out of the way, I cut the plexiglass to fit — which was harder than I expected — and put a piece of tape over the hole to keep bugs out. Within a month they had drained it dry and were starting to build comb up through the hole in the center chimney.

As it turns out, I didn't have to feed them again. So I removed the feeder, hosed it down, and put it in a plastic bag to keep the ants out. Then, I put it in the shed for next time.

My bees were off to a good start, and I was happy to be free from the tyranny of schlepping sugar syrup down the slope.