Beehive Top Feeder Round Bowl Only - Spare or Replacement

A Spare Round Bowl for Your Beehive Top Feeder

There are times in the year when a colony needs feeding whether you like it or not. A new nuc or package has no stores and a lot of comb to draw. A dry spell leaves nothing coming in. Autumn arrives and the hive is lighter than it should be. Feeding at the entrance invites robbing, which is why most beekeepers feed from the top, inside the hive, where only the colony can reach it.

This is the round bowl from our beehive top feeder, sold on its own. It is the same food-grade plastic bowl that comes with the full feeder kit, for anyone who already has the wooden housing and base board and wants a spare, a replacement, or a second bowl to swap in while the first is being washed.

How the Bowl Feeds the Colony

The bowl sits over the hole in the base board or inner cover, inside the wooden housing or an empty super, with the lid on top. Bees come up through the hole and drink through the removable mesh, which keeps them from drowning in the syrup. Pull the mesh out and they have open access, which suits a strong colony that empties a bowl quickly. Because it all happens under the lid there is no syrup smell at the entrance to draw robbers, and refilling means lifting the lid rather than opening the brood nest.

Who It Is For

Anyone running our beehive top feeder with housing and base board who wants a spare bowl. It also suits beekeepers who have built their own feeder box with an inner cover hole, since the bowl is the only plastic part needed. Sugar syrup straight after transferring a nuc or package bees helps the colony draw comb and settle in.

What It Is Not

This listing is the bowl only. There is no wooden housing, base board or lid in the box. If you do not already have those, the complete beehive top feeder round with housing and base board is the one to buy. Feed syrup when the colony needs stores, not when honey supers are on, or you will end up with sugar in your harvest.

Specifications

• Part: round top feeder bowl only, no housing, base board or lid included
• Material: food-grade plastic
• Mesh: removable, feed through the mesh or lift it out for open access
• Fits: the Beehive Top Feeder Round with housing and base board, or any feeder box with an inner cover hole
• Use: sugar syrup for nucs, package bees, dearth and autumn feeding
• Shipping weight: 1kg as listed

Is this the complete top feeder?

No. This listing is the round bowl only, with no wooden housing, base board or lid included.

What is the bowl made of?

Food-grade plastic, the same bowl that comes with the full beehive top feeder kit.

Does it have a mesh?

Yes. The mesh is removable. Bees drink through it without drowning, or you can lift it out for open access.

When should I remove the mesh?

Pull it out for a strong colony that empties a bowl quickly, as it gives the bees open access to the syrup.

What does the bowl fit?

The Beehive Top Feeder Round with housing and base board, or any feeder box with an inner cover hole.

How does a top feeder avoid robbing?

Feeding happens inside the hive under the lid, so there is no syrup smell at the entrance to draw robbers.

What can I feed with it?

Sugar syrup for nucs, package bees, dearth periods and autumn feeding.

Can I feed while honey supers are on?

No. Feed syrup when the colony needs stores, not when honey supers are on, or sugar can end up in your harvest.

Why would I buy a second bowl?

It lets you swap in a clean bowl while the first is being washed, or replace one that is damaged.

Can I use it with a homemade feeder box?

Yes. If your box has an inner cover with a hole in it, the bowl is the only plastic part you need.