Gallon Feeder Question

[Tommy]

Evening all. I recently picked up a gallon sized inverted bucket feeder that has a plug with a screen in the cover where the bees can get the syrup. Works great and I really like it and would like to make another. Do any of you make your own feeders like this? What type of screen do you use? Thank you!

The man of a million questions!

[Lburou]

I like to feed with buckets too.  But, you don't need a screen.  I use a paper clip...unflold it, hold one end with a pliers, heat the other end with a torch until it glows, punch a dozen holes in the center of the top of a regular bucket. You will have to reheat the clip every other hole.  Bees will plug the holes sometimes, but it is easy to reopen them.  HTH   

[riverbee]

hi tommy, i like the one gallon bucket feeders as well, and i do have the lids with the screens embedded in them. never made them myself, less messing around for me and really, cost (for me)  is minimal on a few lids.  personally, they last a long time, the bees may propolize them, mostly when they are empty but can be cleaned up with a little ammonia. not sure how these are made?

[Jen]

Ammonia! Thanks Riverbee. I have been tediously poking a little pin thru the netting to clear the propolis, definately testing my patience 

[Tommy]

I'm definitely going to give the paperclip method a try. I know I could easily go buy one, but making your own gear is half the fun! Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[riverbee]

"Ammonia! Thanks Riverbee. I have been tediously poking a little pin thru the netting to clear the propolis, definately testing my patience  "

SKIP the pin.....all ya gotta do is either spray straight ammonia on the screens or a little ammonia/water mix, i use the yellow stuff. knock your senses out and smells up the kitchen but gets the job done. just basically spray the screens with a strong ammonia mix, let them sit for a bit or in the kitchen sink, more ammonia mix to hot top water......let them sit......scrub with a tooth brush.......done. (repeat if necessary)

repeat again.........cuz the bees do and will propolize these.............

[vvand111]

SORRY  I do not Know what a gallon feeder is or how it would be applied  ?

[riverbee]

vandy,
one gallon feeders are filled with sugar syrup and inverted over the oval hole in an inner cover.  these pails have a lid with a small circular stainless screen embedded in them in the center of the lid. the bees take syrup from the embedded screen.  not sure how to explain this?  once the pail is filled with sugar syrup, it is quickly inverted and placed over the inner cover hole (it does not leak, and always make sure it's not leaking). the bees, using their proboscis, take the syrup from the embedded stainless screen.

here is a link and pic of a one gallon feeder i use from my supplier:

1 Gallon Feeder Pail

here is a link and pic of the lid, (not very good):

Feeder Pail 1 Gallon-Lid Only

hope this helps?