Feeding & Seasonal Care
Entrance Feeder
Cheap, convenient, and the fastest way to start a robbing war.
An entrance feeder is a jar of syrup inverted over a shallow tray that slots into the hive entrance. It is the cheapest feeder you can buy and it works well for a small colony in a light spring feed.
It also has the worst robbing profile of any feeder. The syrup sits outside the colony's defensive perimeter, the scent is broadcast widely, and a weak colony cannot guard both the feeder and the entrance. Experienced beekeepers use them only on strong colonies in a light flow, or avoid them entirely.
At a glance
Safety
Entrance feeders broadcast the smell of syrup across the apiary and can trigger robbing that kills weak colonies. If you see bees fighting at the entrance or wax crumbs on the landing board, remove the feeder immediately.
Using it well
- Only use one when the colony is strong enough to guard the entrance.
- Feed in the evening so the colony has all night to take the syrup down.
- Reduce the entrance so the tray occupies most of it — this helps the guards.
- Switch to a division-board feeder the moment you see robbing.
Compatibility
Hive types
- Langstroth
- Flow
Bees
European honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Educational reference only. Hive & Honey sells no equipment and takes no sponsorship. Specifications here describe typical products in this category; check the actual figures for the item you own or intend to buy. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local regulations.