ZAVHOZ Bees Feeding Bowl Bee Feeder Hive Water Drinker Sugar Syrup Drinking Dispenser Tool Plastic Mesh Dish Beehive Apiary Accessory Beekeeping Honey Production (Gray)

This seemed to work well until my freakin’ dogs knocked it into my pond. I had JUST filled it with sugar-water. Le sigh. All that being said, I purchased this when I first became a beekeeper; I’ve learned a lot about feeding since then, such as open feeding inviting robber bees to your property and closer to your hive. It also invites other beekeepers’ bees to your property for sugar-water, which is a big no-no in the beekeeping community since syrup causes bees to make “funny honey,” and different beeks choose to feed their bees — or not — at different times of the year. I ultimately decided to use an internal frame feeder in my hive. BUT, that doesn’t speak to the quality of this particular product. In the short time I used it, it seemed durable. But I didn’t see bees on it until it was in the bottom of the pond and the jar (which didn’t experience a similar fate) was wide open for bees to fly in and enjoy the syrup.

Solidly built, but really you could do better. 1) jars only set inside of lip, they don't screw into the ¼ inch edge. 2) vent or drainage hole needs a screen to prevent bees from swimming in. 3) red tray needs to be layers at alternate heights to be able to reach all liquid. 4)does not need 3 feet on bottom, that just enables more tipping 5) what is with the silver tape across vent, now how long will that last? * While this is a good sturdy product, heavy weight, the best part about it is the red tray, (and really you can improve that by staggering levels) it needs a screw in base to become a repeat purchase.3*

April 2023. Bees around my house were not attracted to this. They would fly around or above it, not even pausing to check it out. After a week I tried it without a jar attached, would clean it every night, and put it out again the next morning with fresh nectar. Still nothing. So, instead, I bought 2 dwarf bee balm plants, put them in separate containers, and since the first day, I have had a steady stream of at least 2 different types of bees and butterflies. I have a hummingbird feeder hanging near the plants. One hummingbird always stops to quickly check out the plants before going to the feeder. I find the plants are easier to care for, I don't have to clean jars and make nectar. I'll probably just recycle the bee feeder. ------------------------ Update September 2023. Changed my rating from 3 to 5 stars. The bee balm plants I had bought for the bees are no longer flowering for this season, so I decided to try the bee feeder again. The feeder I received has a black base, I am not sure if that wasn't bright enough to attract bees, so I placed it on the red top of an old hummingbird feeder I no longer use. Maybe that did the trick. I do not place the jar on top, just the feeder that I fill to the brim with sugar water. This is sitting on a balcony railing so too risky to use a glass jar. I am using the same sugar water solution I put in the hummingbird feeder on the other side of the deck instead of the heavier bee solution. The bees love it, full of bees all day long, even one of the hummingbirds will join the bees for a meal, but the bees now stay away from the hummingbird feeder. I bring it in each evening to wash and put it out again the next morning with fresh nectar. My balcony gets full sun all day and with the recent heat wave, and perhaps the hungry bees, I check it throughout the day and occasionally and top it off with more nectar as needed. ----------------------------------- Update, 3 days later. After 3 days on my balcony without using the bottle my balcony was swarming with bees. So, I moved it to the lower deck this morning using the bottle as others have shown, and switched to a 1:1 sugar/water solution. I put a little foil at the opening, as another reviewer recommended, to keep bees from getting stuck inside the bottle. Didn't take long for the bees to find the new location. ------------------------ Update 10/18/2023 So many bees, they are fighting each other. I just ordered another bee feeder and mason jar.

Designed so the bees can feed on honey or sugar water without getting covered or drowning in it. It comes with a small sticky metallic tab to keep the bees from entering the jar, but even better, put a heavy rubber band around the base and it holds both parts together as well as keeps bees out. It comes apart for easy cleaning and is better than all similar others for the price. Placed in the shade with nothing but clear, clean water, it can provide a water source near the hives.

While I love the feeder, I was concerned that it could easily slip off the deck rail and break. To provide more security, I duct taped an upside down plastic lid to the deck rail and placed the feeder inside the lid. 🐝 🐝 are happy, I am happy and feeder is more secure. I don’t think I would risk placing a glass jar on top. I am content to just refill the feeder frequently.