Poly hive musings.

[gavin]

Do you do anything special to the face of the baffle that the bees run down to get access to the syrup? I painted the inside of the feeders with masonary paint and threw sand on the wet surface of the baffle. Didn't see more than one or two bees drowning, but I will admit that they were not full strength colonies. With the clear plastic ('Bayer') cover over the baffle you can stand back and watch the bees first find then sup and call in help as they find the syrup. I was impressed by their multi-tasking. Drinking syrup, ar&e in the air, tip over, and fanning of the wings, all at the same time. The same rough surface inside the Paynes feeder didn't stop mass deaths in them.

[Mellifera Crofter]

The same rough surface inside the Paynes feeder didn't stop mass deaths in them.

Do you think it is the surface, or might the reason perhaps be the small wooden float Paynes send out with the hive? I thought that this float might just flip over with bees on it causing them to drown. I can't do anything about that now because the hive is in use (that's another thing I don't like about a built-in feeder), but I have a new Paynes polynuc and thought that I'll try that one out with a bigger float in it - one that can't flip over.

[gavin]

Not sure, but a broader float would probably help. The feeder compartment is tapered so it might be hard to get this right.

[GRIZZLY]

With the swienty feeders my bees build brace comb in the access slot.I have found that if I leave this in place it cuts down the rush and there is a lot less drowning-so I now leave the wild comb in place.Realy good feeders tho' at the price.