The Bee Feeder is a hive accessory used to provide supplemental sugar syrup to bee colonies during the dry season, after splitting a hive, or when establishing a new colony. In Kenya, forage gaps occur predictably between October and January in many regions. A Bee Feeder keeps colonies strong through these periods, preventing starvation and maintaining productivity until the next honey flow.
What Is the Bee Feeder?
The Bee Feeder is a supplemental feeding accessory used at the hive management stage of beekeeping. It holds a sugar syrup solution inside or at the entrance of the hive, allowing bees to feed without foraging. A float or screen prevents bees from drowning in the syrup. Compatible with Langstroth and Kenya Top Bar Bee Hives. Most commonly used during colony establishment, after swarm capture, during dry seasons, and after hive splits.
What Is the Price of the Bee Feeder in Kenya?
The Bee Feeder is priced at KSh 650 at Urban Beekeepers in Nairobi. In stock ā no lead time. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Nationwide delivery available to all major towns. Payment accepted via M-Pesa and card. Urban Beekeepers takes bulk orders. Call 0797 764 747 or message via WhatsApp to discuss.
š¬ Order Now on WhatsApp ā KSh 650
Key Features and Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Design | Internal or entrance feeder |
| What’s Included | Bee Feeder with float or screen drowning prevention |
| Compatible Hive | Langstroth and Kenya Top Bar Bee Hive |
| Feed Type | Sugar syrup (1:1 or 2:1 sugar to water ratio) |
| Material | Plastic or wood |
| Suitable Use | Dry season feeding, colony establishment, post-split feeding |
| Price | KSh 650 |
Who Needs the Bee Feeder?
- Commercial Honey Farmers: Farmers managing colonies through the dry season who need to maintain population strength to capitalise on the next honey flow.
- New Beekeepers: Beekeepers establishing first colonies from captured swarms or nucleus hives who need to support the new colony while it builds comb and stores.
- CBOs and Cooperatives: Community groups managing shared apiaries who need to keep colonies alive and productive through the dry season without specialist expertise.
- NGOs and County Governments: Development organisations distributing starter beekeeping kits where feeding equipment is an essential component.
How to Use the Bee Feeder
- Prepare the syrup. Mix sugar and water at a 1:1 ratio for spring feeding or 2:1 ratio for dry season feeding. Dissolve completely and allow to cool before filling.
- Fill the feeder. Fill the feeder to the indicated maximum line. Do not overfill. For entrance feeders, fill and insert at the hive entrance.
- Place inside the hive. For internal feeders, lift the crown board and place the feeder directly on top of the frames. Replace the crown board and roof.
- Refill every 2 to 3 days. Monitor the feeder every 2 to 3 days. Refill before it empties completely to avoid stress to the colony. Remove and clean between uses to prevent fermentation.
- Stop feeding when forage returns. Remove the feeder once the honey flow begins and natural forage is available. Continued feeding during a honey flow can dilute harvested honey.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care extends the working life of your Bee Feeder and keeps it performing effectively season after season.
- Rinse the feeder thoroughly with clean water after every refill. Residual syrup ferments quickly in Kenyan heat and can cause colony dysentery if fed to bees.
- Inspect the float or screen mechanism each time you refill. Replace a damaged float or screen immediately ā a malfunctioning drowning prevention mechanism can result in significant bee losses.
- Store the feeder dry and covered between seasons. Mould growing inside a stored feeder is difficult to remove completely and can contaminate the next batch of syrup.
Why Buy From Urban Beekeepers?
- In stock ā same-day delivery within Nairobi
- Nationwide delivery to all major towns across Kenya
- Call or WhatsApp: 0797 764 747
- Trusted by commercial farmers, CBOs, and NGOs across Kenya
- M-Pesa and card accepted
Shipping and Delivery
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use a bee feeder in Kenya?
Use a Bee Feeder during the dry season, when establishing a new colony, after splitting a hive, or when the colony is visibly light on stores. In most parts of Kenya, the main dry season forage gap runs from October to January.
What do I put in a bee feeder?
Standard bee feeders are filled with sugar syrup made from white granulated sugar dissolved in clean water. Use a 1:1 ratio for spring and colony building, and 2:1 for dry season maintenance feeding. Avoid brown sugar, honey from unknown sources, or any additives.
Will a bee feeder attract robbing bees?
Internal feeders placed inside the hive with the crown board down minimise robbing risk. Avoid spilling syrup outside the hive. If robbing is a concern, reduce the hive entrance to a single bee width during feeding periods.
Is the bee feeder suitable for a Top Bar Hive?
Yes. The Bee Feeder can be used with Kenya Top Bar Bee Hives. Place the feeder at the entrance or in an empty section of the hive away from the active brood area.
Does Urban Beekeepers deliver the Bee Feeder outside Nairobi?
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
