> They have mesh screen inserts below the top hole to prevent the bees from
> drowning.

I do not care for these feeders with the ladders. I have been given a few to
try.

Are yours the same?
No.
Ours are open across the top. Although the inside is grooved instead of
smooth we add a V made of 8 mesh wire for the bees to walk on.

  >When bees reach the bottom of the feeders, they can't get any leftover
syrup beyond the screens.

The wire V is shorter than the length of the feeder so the bees go below and
clean up all the syrup.


 >I'd think there could be some mold growth there.

No mold with my method  A strong hive will empty a gallon feeder overnight.
No residue at all when we return for another feeding. I have ran a inside
feeder in each box before (2 per hive) but only in hives on permanent
locations and the purpose was to save trips to feed the bees in remote
locations.


 >Do you rinse your feeders before refilling?

Never.

At times we need to cut some burr comb the bees might build in the feeder
but we never rinse *except* with deadouts.
We rinse with a Clorox solution before reusing to eliminate nosema ceranae
spores. Also at times I have had the help rinse out if some syrup remained
and was off color.

bob

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