Pollen Feeder for Bees-Make Your Personal

You’ll be able to make your personal pollen feeder for bees the use of a couple of easy items of PVC pipe. Honey bee colonies should have protein to be able to thrive however nature doesn’t all the time supply sufficient. A part of the beekeeper’s task is working out the wishes of the colony. Providing bees a pollen replace in instances of want could make a favorable distinction in colony power.

Over my years of beekeeping enjoy, I’ve come to appreciate the days of the 12 months when my bees is also critical want of pollen complement. That is one a part of a success beehive control.

The best way to Make a Pollen Feeder for Bees

This is a commonplace apply for beekeepers to supply protein or pollen substitutes to their hives. Even robust colonies would possibly enjoy a scarcity of the assets bees wish to accumulate.

In some eventualities, beekeepers get ready pollen patties to be fed within the hive. However, you’ll be able to be offering dry pollen replace too. I’m going to turn you a easy technique to make your personal pollen feeder in your honey bees.

Feeders used to supply dry pollen/replace may also be as easy or as advanced as you need. You’ll be able to acquire pre-made feeders in a lot of types.

A few of them are helpful however outrageously pricey for what they’re. (I imply critically folks – it’s mainly a plastic tube!) Should you revel in a excellent bee venture, it’s quite simple to make your personal PVC pollen feeder.

Fabrics

The entire provides had to make your pollen feeder are simply bought at any house development retailer. 

Let’s do it.

• 12″ duration of four″ diameter skinny wall PVC pipe 
• 1 piece Finish Cap to suit the pipe (4″ PVC)
• 1 piece PVC Drain Downspout Adapter (4″)
• 1 bottle PVC Glue
• 1 bag pollen replace

You want a bit of skinny walled PVC pipe with a 4″ diameter. This pipe is located within the drain or gutter phase of house development retail outlets. When you’ve got every other form of pipe, you’ll be able to use it however make sure that the fittings will have compatibility.

As I discussed, if you buy this pipe at House Depot or identical, it is available in a ten′ phase.  A pleasant affiliate lower it in part for simple hauling.

You’re going to additionally want an Finish Cap to suit the 4″ pipe. We wish to shut off one finish of the feeder. This aids in protecting the pollen dry even in windy, wet climate.

To create an front for the bees and nonetheless stay lots of the meals within the pipe, use a Drain Downspout Adapter. It is going to have compatibility on our 4″ pipe and feature a sq. opening for the bees.

Many house homeowners have some PVC glue round the home. You’re going to want a small quantity to connect the tip cap and Drain Downspout Adapter onto our phase of pipe.

And, you want a hacksaw to chop the pipe to the most productive duration. Whilst you’ll be able to make the feeder any dimension, a duration of 8″-12″ turns out to paintings smartly.

When you’ve got issues about chopping the pipe, or perhaps you don’t have a hacksaw?  I’ve discovered maximum retailer pals prepared to lend a hand when requested effectively.

The place to Position Your Bee Pollen Feeder

• off the bottom or secure from animals
• clear of the bee backyard
• simply out there for the beekeeper

I’ve discovered it best possible to find the pollen feeder up off the bottom. Bees don’t seem to be the one issues that like pollen replace. Cats, Raccoons, Opossums and my very own goats have loved a banquet now and again. 

A transportable lawn t-post and a bungee twine works really well. We wish a slight downward tilt at the feeder-just in case of rain.

Generally, I most effective put a small quantity of pollen replace within the feeder at a time. That is simply in case a mishap happens, excellent protein sub isn’t affordable. If I wish to put out a bigger quantity, I will be able to position my feeder inside of a cord cage.

The ones with out numerous foragers or in the chillier months of the 12 months won’t be capable of get admission to the outdoor feeder. Maximum honey bees don’t fly on a real wet day.

Find Protein Feeders Smartly Away From Your Beehives

It isn’t vital to position your feeder too with regards to the hives. Actually, I hesitate to position any meals supply close to the hives. 

I don’t wish to draw in any honey bee predators to the bee backyard. Consider, honey bees can fly.

Put your feeder in an simply out there location. However, there might be numerous bee process on the feeder sometimes- don’t position it too with regards to the home or play space.

That is steadily put outdoor the hive in a location out there to the bees however secure from rain. It does no longer must be with regards to the hives and truthfully will have to be a minimum of 50 toes away.

Skilled Guidelines

The PVC pollen feeder is straightforward to make and quite affordable. That is very true if you’ll be able to in finding somebody to proportion prices with – possibly a member of the native beekeeping affiliation? 

The 4″ skinny wall PVC pipe most often is available in 10′ lengths! Attempt to achieve pipe in the community.

This feeder is one in every of my favourite tactics of supplementing pollen for my bee colonies. However, it might not be the easiest way to provide protein to vulnerable colonies with a small paintings power.

In case your funds is in reality tight, bees in want will feed from a small quantity of pollen on a plate outdoor.  However different animals will devour the pollen too and it’s not secure from rain.

Your bees won’t all the time wish to use your feeder. If there may be an abundance of herbal meals, they’ll accumulate that as a substitute.