3-Litre Internal Frame Feeder for Beehives

Feed Inside the Hive, Stop Robbing Bees

If you've ever fed your bees with an external feeder, you've probably seen the chaos, dozens of bees from neighbouring colonies, wasps, ants, and even hornets crowding around the syrup, sometimes triggering a full robbing frenzy that can devastate weaker colonies. The solution is feeding inside the hive, where only your bees have access.

The 3-Litre Internal Frame Feeder replaces a single frame inside your hive box, giving your colony private, secure access to up to 3 litres of sugar syrup without inviting outsiders to the table. Built with a sturdy wooden top for insulation and durability, it fits seamlessly into any standard Australian hive.

Why Feed Inside the Hive?

External feeders attract bees from every nearby colony, plus wasps, ants, and hornets competing for syrup, and the scent can trigger robbing behaviour where stronger colonies attack weaker ones. An internal frame feeder is completely hidden, no scent escapes, and your colony feeds in peace, genuinely the difference between survival and collapse for weak colonies and new packages.

How Does It Work?

Shaped like a standard hive frame but hollow inside, simply remove one frame and slot the feeder in its place. Fill through the top opening with up to 3 litres of syrup, replace the wooden lid, and an internal ladder or floating platform lets bees drink without drowning.

Why 3 Litres?

Large enough to reduce refills to once a week or less for most colonies, but small enough to fit a single frame slot, the ideal balance of convenience and minimal hive disturbance.

When Should I Feed My Bees?

• Establishing new packages or nucs, helping build comb and stores quickly
• Nectar dearths, when natural forage is scarce
• Late autumn supplementation, topping up winter stores
• Recovery feeding, supporting weak or stressed colonies

How Does It Compare to Top Feeders?

A frame feeder replaces one frame, low-profile and easy to deploy in any hive. A top feeder sits above the frames and typically holds more syrup (5 to 10 litres). Frame feeders suit small colonies and short-term feeding, while top feeders suit large colonies needing sustained feeding over weeks.

Will It Fit My Hive?

Yes, sized for standard 8-frame and 10-frame Full Depth Australian hives. It takes the space of one regular frame while in use.

Specifications

• Type: Internal frame feeder (replaces one hive frame)
• Capacity: Up to 3 litres of sugar syrup
• Construction: Sturdy wooden top for insulation and durability
• Compatibility: Standard 8-frame and 10-frame Full Depth hives
• Bee safety: Internal ladder or floating platform prevents drowning
• Pack sizes: 1 or 3 units (select at checkout)

Why is an internal feeder better than an external one?

External feeders attract bees from neighbouring colonies, wasps, and ants, and can trigger robbing. An internal feeder is hidden inside the hive so only your bees have access.

How does the frame feeder fit into my hive?

It's shaped like a standard hive frame but hollow, so you remove one existing frame and slot the feeder into its place.

How much syrup does it hold?

Up to 3 litres, enough to reduce refills to once a week or less for most colonies.

Will bees drown in the feeder?

No, an internal ladder or floating platform lets bees drink safely without the risk of drowning.

When should I use this feeder?

It's most useful when establishing new packages or nucs, during nectar dearths, for late autumn supplementation, or when recovering a weak colony.

How is this different from a top feeder?

A frame feeder replaces one frame and suits smaller colonies or short-term feeding, while a top feeder sits above the frames and holds more syrup for sustained feeding.

Does this fit both 8-frame and 10-frame hives?

Yes, it's sized to fit standard Australian 8-frame and 10-frame Full Depth hive boxes.

How do I refill the feeder?

Lift the wooden top and pour in more syrup as needed, without needing to remove the feeder from the hive.

Can I buy more than one feeder at a time?

Yes, it's available as a single unit or a 3-pack, selectable at checkout for beekeepers managing multiple hives.

Is this feeder suitable for a new package of bees?

Yes, it's especially valuable for new packages and nucs, which almost always require supplementary feeding to establish comb and stores.