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Materials to make a diy bee feeder with a jar image.

DIY Jar Bee Feeder Step by Step

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC
Step by step directions for using a glass jar to make a honey bee feeder.
5 from 3 votes
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Tools

  • Hammer
  • Small Nail
  • small block of wood (optional)

Supplies
 

  • 1 piece Quart Jar
  • 1 piece lid for quart jar

Instructions
 

  • Begin with a clean glass jar. Mason ( is a type or brand) you just need a clean glass jar - quart size is good.
    You also need a lid. It can be a 1 piece lid or the 2 piece canning lids but it should be the standard regular size. Yes, you can use plastic but glass is most common.
    Clear mason jar with white one piece lid for bee feeder image.
  • Punch small holes in the lid. Use a hammer and a small finishing nail to punch 5 – 8 very small holes near the center of the lid.
    If you make the holes too big, the sugar water feed will pour out too quickly. This isn't rocket science - just space them out to give bees room to drink.
    Lid for bee feeder with holes near the center image.
  • If needed, a small block of wood can support the metal surface of a 1 piece lid as you make the holes.
    The lid you are using may be sturdy enough to avoid needing a support – it really depends on the thickness of the lid in question
    Using a block of wood to support feeder lid for holes image.
  • Fill clean jar with sugar syrup. A 1:1 mixture is the most common ratio used for feeding weak colonies.
    Add the lid and tighten it securely – then rinse the whole feeder to remove any sticky sugar water drips.
    Invert the jar – you will see some drips as the liquid creates a vacuum. If drips continue more than a few seconds – your lid is not creating a good seal.
    Turn right side up and your jar feeder is ready to use. Understand that when you flip it back over in the bee yard it will drip again. Make sure it is full to the top.
    Jar feeder with sugar water inverted and leaks image.
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