Ian,
 
A few years ago I was instrumental in developing a styrofoam hive top
feeder.  Although it was subject to some damage in use, it is the fastest
feeder I have ever used.  It is much like a conventional hive top feeder in
which the bees come up the middle, over a wall, and down to access the
syrup.  Most hives would take a gallon a day using this method.
 
Eric
 
 
 
 
At 01:09 PM 14/01/97 -0500, you wrote:
>On Tue, 14 Jan 1997, Gerry Visel wrote:
>
>>    I also had problems with slow drinkers at the boardman feeders.  When
>> I put them on the front of the hive, the diurnal heating/cooling pumped
>> them empty before the bees could drink.  The leakage drew yellow jackets,
>> which spread into the hives.  Even placed on inner covers, they only drew
>> a few bees, and some even got mold on the syrup, it took them so long to
>> take down.
>
>Interesting....I had very good success with Boardman feeders.  In the Fall
>I was feeding with TM and Fumigilin both in a strong syrup.  On a nice
>sunny day, if I filled up the Mason jars up in the morning they would be
>empty by mid-to-late afternoon.  On the other hand, when feeding with
>gallon pails on top of the hives, the bees would hardly touch it and it
>would go bad. I haven't tried the Baggie feeders yet.
>
>Cheers, Ian
>
Eric Abell
Gibbons, Alberta Canada
(403) 998 3143
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