Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[rainman1962]

I am new to beekeeping so I am very grateful for any and all advice! I received my first swarm yesterday!!! I am using a syrup feeder (Phil Chandler's video) in my TBH for a day or two until they get established. I mixed the syrup 2:1 (sugar:water) and put holes in a mason jar lid. As soon as I turned the lid over the syrup just started to squirt out (squirt, not drip). The hole was made with a small needle and I only had 1 hole! Now, when I check out the hive, there is a path of syrup on the ground below the hive and TONS of ants all over it. I cannot figure out how one hole can be inserted let alone 5-10 without it dripping all over the place.

Thanks in advance for any tips on this process.

[Dexter's shed]

did you tip the jar over slowly or fast?
try again, practise with water, and make a lot more holes, I use a 1" wire nail so it has nothing to do with your hole size, by turning the jar quickly, your forming a vacuum which holds the contents inside the jar unless sucked out

[trekmate]

Also make sure the lid is sealed tight. Any air getting in will let the syrup drip out.