Interesting reading that several groups and individuals have come to the same conclusion about the Paynes feeder. Fatshark, a man brimming with inventiveness, describes a dry sugar method which sounds well worth a try. Simple and easy. The small entrance should help inhibit robbing.

Speaking of which, mice have enlarged some of the entrances of the Paynes boxes I look after. I should have varnished around them too, or used a modified entrance. Kate A's simple expedient of siting the front of the box on a concrete slab looked like a good way of both inhibiting mice and helping the bees find their entrance.

Just a plug for the Swienty poly feeder which works beautifully. The slit is at the side though, so make sure that small colonies are dummied off to the side otherwise they may not travel up in the cold.

http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/en...nty-Poly-Hives