Honey Bee Feeders

Looking for reliable bee feeders to provide supplemental nutrition when natural forage is limited? At Blythewood Bee Company, we offer a selection of honey bee feeders designed for different hive configurations, colony sizes, and feeding requirements.

Shop Boardman entrance feeders, in-hive frame feeders, Ceracell top feeders, and replacement accessories to find equipment suited to your apiary. Whether you're establishing a new colony, preparing for seasonal feeding, or replacing worn equipment, our beehive feeders provide practical options for managing supplemental sugar syrup.

Explore our collection and choose the right bee feeder for your hive.

Shop Honey Bee Feeders for Different Hive Setups

Not every colony needs the same feeding system. The right feeder depends on hive size, feeding frequency, syrup capacity, and how much disturbance you're comfortable introducing during refills.

Our collection includes several designs to accommodate beginners, hobbyist beekeepers, and established apiaries.

Boardman Feeders for Convenient Entrance Feeding

A Boardman feeder is a compact feeding system positioned at the hive entrance. Many designs use an inverted jar and perforated cap to dispense sugar syrup.

Our Wood and Metal Boardman Entrance Feeder fits compatible Mason jars and provides a straightforward option for monitored, short-term feeding.

Boardman feeders are easy to observe and refill without opening the hive. However, entrance feeding may attract robbing bees during nectar shortages, making careful placement and colony monitoring important.

Bee Frame Feeders for In-Hive Feeding

A bee frame feeder fits inside the hive in place of one or more frames, allowing colony members to access supplemental syrup within their own hive environment.

Our Mother Lode Deep 2-Gallon In-Hive Feeder includes a Cap-n-Ladder assembly designed to give bees access to syrup while reducing drowning risks.

Frame feeders are particularly useful when you prefer internal feeding or need a larger reservoir without placing syrup at the hive entrance.

Check the feeder's depth, width, and capacity before purchasing to ensure compatibility with your hive body.

Top Feeders for Larger Syrup Capacity

Top feeders sit above the hive's brood area and provide access to supplemental food through designated feeding channels.

Our Ceracell 10-Frame Top Feeder holds up to 2.25 gallons and includes two plastic reservoirs, a wooden support rim, and covered bee-access points.

Ceracell also offers an 8-frame model with a 1.98-gallon capacity and a 5-frame model designed for nucleus hives.

Top feeders are practical for beekeepers who want more feeding capacity and fewer refill visits.

Rapid Round Feeders and Replacement Parts

Compact rapid round feeders provide another option for supplying syrup from above the colony. Our collection includes a half-gallon model suitable for use inside an appropriate hive enclosure.

We also stock selected replacement feeder caps, lids, and Cap-n-Ladder components, helping beekeepers maintain compatible equipment without replacing an entire feeder.

How to Choose the Best Bee Feeder for Your Hive

Before buying honey bee feeders, compare the features that matter most for your beekeeping setup.

• Hive compatibility: Check whether the feeder fits a 5-frame nuc, 8-frame hive, or 10-frame hive.

• Feeding capacity: Larger reservoirs can reduce refill frequency, while smaller feeders suit limited supplementation.

• Feeder placement: Choose entrance, in-hive, or top feeding based on your management preferences.

• Bee safety: Look for covered access points, ladders, or other features designed to reduce drowning.

• Cleaning convenience: Select components that can be emptied, inspected, and washed thoroughly.

• Refill access: Consider whether replenishing syrup requires opening or disturbing the colony.

For complementary feeding products, browse our syrup, protein, and supplements.

When Should You Use Beehive Feeders?

Supplemental feeding may be necessary when a colony lacks sufficient food reserves or natural nectar sources.

Common situations include establishing a new nucleus colony, supporting comb construction, preparing for winter, and managing periods of limited forage.

Feeding decisions should depend on colony conditions, stored food, local climate, and seasonal nectar availability.

Sugar syrup primarily provides carbohydrates. Protein supplementation is a separate consideration when natural pollen is inadequate.

Avoid feeding syrup while harvesting honey intended for human consumption, as stored syrup can contaminate the harvest.

Buy Honey Bee Feeders Online at Blythewood Bee Company

Whether you need a compact Boardman feeder, a larger bee frame feeder, or a Ceracell top-feeding system, Blythewood Bee Company offers practical equipment for managing supplemental colony feeding.

Compare feeder capacities, hive compatibility, available replacement parts, and product specifications before ordering.

Shop our honey bee feeders for sale and find a feeding solution suited to your colonies and beekeeping routine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Bee Feeders

1. What are the best bee feeders for beginners?

Boardman entrance feeders and top feeders are popular choices for beginner beekeepers. Boardman feeders are simple to monitor and refill, while top feeders typically provide greater syrup capacity. In-hive frame feeders are another option when feeding inside the colony is preferred. Choose based on hive compatibility and seasonal feeding needs.

2. What is the difference between a Boardman feeder and a frame feeder?

A Boardman feeder supplies syrup from the hive entrance, usually through an inverted jar. A frame feeder sits inside the hive and replaces one or more frames. Boardman feeders allow convenient external monitoring, while frame feeders keep food within the hive and may reduce exposure to robbing compared with entrance feeding.

3. Which bee feeders are best for feeding inside a hive?

In-hive frame feeders and enclosed top feeders are practical options for feeding bees within the hive structure. Mother Lode frame feeders include Cap-n-Ladder components, while Ceracell top feeders provide protected feeding channels. Select equipment compatible with your hive dimensions and desired feeding capacity.

4. Where can I buy honey bee feeders online?

Blythewood Bee Company sells honey bee feeders online, including Boardman entrance feeders, Ceracell top feeders, Mother Lode frame feeders, rapid round feeders, and replacement accessories. Shoppers can compare product specifications, capacities, prices, and current availability directly through the collection.

5. What should I check when comparing bee feeder reviews on Amazon?

When comparing bee feeders on Amazon or other retailers, examine verified buyer feedback about hive compatibility, leaks, cleaning difficulty, bee drowning, and durability. Also compare reservoir capacity and replacement-part availability. Reviews are useful, but the feeder's actual dimensions and operating design should guide your purchase.

6. Can bee feeders be used for pollen supplements?

Most liquid bee feeders are intended for sugar syrup rather than pollen patties. Protein supplements are commonly placed in suitable locations within the hive or offered using equipment specifically designed for dry feeding. Always follow the supplement manufacturer's instructions and avoid putting unsuitable materials into syrup reservoirs.

7. How often should I clean a honey bee feeder?

Inspect feeders whenever you refill them and clean them whenever syrup becomes cloudy, fermented, moldy, or contaminated. Empty unused syrup, wash components using the manufacturer's recommended method, rinse thoroughly, and dry or refill appropriately. Frequent inspection is especially important during warm weather.

8. Are top feeders better than entrance feeders for honey bees?

Top feeders often provide greater capacity and keep syrup access within the hive enclosure, which can make them preferable during periods of robbing pressure. Entrance feeders are generally easier to monitor and refill without opening the hive. The better choice depends on colony strength, weather, feeder design, and feeding requirements.