Paul D. Law said:

> My new hive has had the feeding tank...
> I think it's time to remove it and clean it out
> It's Tuesday night and unless I wait until the
> weekend, the only time I can remove the tank is
> before or after work.

Assuming that the feeder is on top of the inner
cover, you may not even need smoke.  But light
the smoker anyway.  A little puff can go a long way.

Wait until dusk, and bring a bucket.

1)  Remove outer cover.  Smoke optional.

2)  Lift feeder off, pour liquid into bucket
    to avoid flooding any bees that may be in
    the feeder. Tip the feeder >>away<< from
    the clear plastic thingy to pour off the
    liquid.

3)  If no bees are in/on the feeder, simply replace
    the outer cover, and walk away with feeder.

4)  If bees are in feeder, pop out clear plastic
    divider, and shake bees onto inner cover.
    (Use brush for any bees clinging to underside
    of feeder).  Replace outer cover, walk away.

5)  Bemoan the lack of any sort of handholds on
    the polystyrene hive-top feeders as it slips
    out of your hands.  Carefully carve handholds
    with a razor blade carpet-knife when you clean
    it, but don't cut too deep!  Set the blade to
    "shallow".


                jim

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