Abstract: A beehive feeder barrier assembly includes a barrier that is positionable between a beehive and an entry feeder that is integrated to the beehive. In this way the barrier can inhibit bees that do not occupy the beehive from accessing the entry feeder. The barrier forms a tunnel between the beehive and the entry-feeder when the barrier is positioned therebetween. In this way the barrier facilitates bees living in the beehive to travel back and forth between the entry feeder and the beehive. A pair of bumpers is provided and each of the bumpers is coupled to the barrier. Each of the bumpers engages the entry feeder when the barrier is positioned between the entry feeder and the beehive such that the bumpers inhibit the barrier from being displaced.

Abstract: The suspended bee/bird watering device has a first embodiment specifically designed for dispensing drinking and cooling water to bees. A second embodiment is specifically designed for dispensing drinking and cooling water to birds. Both embodiments employ common features, such as a support rod, suspension hooks, insulated water reservoir, and dish-like container. Both embodiments are designed to be suspended from a support, such as a tree limb or wall. The first embodiment employs a porous, fibrous dispensing structure that allows the water to drip (in minimal amounts) from the reservoir into the dish. The second embodiment incorporates an elongate tube having an opening therein for conveying water from the reservoir to the dish.

Abstract: A bee feeder system includes a bee house having a plurality of levels. One of the levels includes a bee feeder having a frame with a top major surface and a bottom major surface. The frame surrounds a central opening and a feeder pipe extends across the central opening. The feeder pipe has a distal section that extends along a longitudinal axis and that includes feeder holes formed therein. A divider covers the central opening for separating the top major surface of the frame from the bottom major surface of the frame. The feeder pipe has a proximal section that extends outside the frame. A feed container is attached to the proximal section of the feeder pipe for supplying feed to the distal section of the feeder pipe. The feeder pipe is rotatable relative to the frame for moving between an ON position in which the feeder holes face toward the bottom major face of the frame and an OFF position in which the feeder holes face toward the top major face of the frame.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for preventing and treating Colony Collapse Disorder, consisting in the use of an automated device that delivers a diet specifically calibrated for consumption by farm colonies of bees to be treated. The apparatus comprises a box-like container (10) accommodating in its interior at least one reservoir for liquid-tight, accessible from outside through a nozzle (4), an atomizing device of a liquid solution or suspension contained in the reservoir, means for the delivery (2, 1) of the liquid atomized solution or suspension into micrometric drops outside the apparatus, and a control unit programmed for timing the delivery of the solution or suspension to the outside, for the determination of the quantity of solution or suspension delivered and for emitting alarm signals in case of malfunction, the apparatus being powered DC with the energy supplied by a solar panel (5) located outside of the container.

Abstract: A bee feeder assembly is provided, including a receptacle, a cover member and a ladder arrangement. The ladder arrangement includes at least one ladder member comprising a porous member depending downwardly from the cover member. Methods of assembly and use are described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to water-dispersible, substantially homogeneous artificial diets and diet formulations which provide honey bees with a fully nutritious, complex mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins in an easily digestible form. The diets of the invention support growth and development of honey bees, sustain brood rearing, and maintain hive vigor, and thus make possible the continuous rearing of bees using an artificial diet. The invention diets are useful for many purposes, and are particularly advantageous for providing nutrition sources for bees that are moved during commercial crop pollination or for other migratory beekeeping uses.

Abstract: A bee feeder assembly is provided, including a receptacle, a cover member and a ladder arrangement. The ladder arrangement includes at least one ladder member comprising a porous member depending downwardly from the cover member. Methods of assembly and use are described.

Abstract: A method to condition honey bees to search for a non-rewarding producing target odor source enables bees to identify a number of chemical substances such as those associated with unexploded ordnances, land mines, and illicit drug laboratories. Further, the subject method can be used to increase pollination efficiency by conditioning the bees to search for a specific vapor from a target crop. The method includes conditioning the bees to the target odor by moving their hives into a staging area. The staging area is located at least two miles from the ultimate site to be searched. The target odor is applied to the hive. Bulk feeders containing the target odor are placed near the hive. The hives are reoriented to the bulk feeders for several days. The hives are then moved to the search site and feeding/conditioning trays containing the target odor are placed nearby. For the first, approximately 24 hours, the bees are fed from the feeding/conditioning trays.

Abstract: A device for feeding bees, comprising a rigid heat-absorptive housing having a chamber therein, where the chamber has a bottom surface with a plurality of holes passing therethrough. The housing has an access port which allows a viscous syrup to be poured into the chamber. The port may be reversibly sealed. The device further includes a system for mounting said housing on top of a beehive. The plurality of holes in the bottom of the chamber are large enough to allow a bee to access the viscous syrup through the holes, but small enough to prevent the viscous syrup from dripping through the holes.

Abstract: A feeding container for bees supports frames in a hollow interior and is placed in the interior of a beehive, to both feed bees and divide the interior. The feeding container is parallelepiped in shape with an open top and a capacity to hold a large amount of feed and a plurality of frames, having standard Langstroth dimensions. The feeding container leaves a space of approximately 3 millimeters between its ends and the side walls of a beehive. The container is supported on a floor of the hive by legs formed in the container to provide a separation of about 8 millimeters from the floor to the base of the feeding container base to allow bees to crawl between the divided interior.

Abstract: A feeder for butterflies has a reservoir to contain a feeding solution. The neck of the reservoir has a head and at least one feeding station is connected to the head. The feeding station is in fluid communication with the reservoir. A mesh-like pad is disposed in a well in the feeding station so that the butterfly may land on the pad.

Abstract: A feeder with a food protection grid for butterflies and moths is described. The feeder includes a solid core on which food may be placed. A protective screen or mesh overlays and protects the core and the food secured thereon from consumption by various insects and small animals. The feeding grid has a plurality of openings therethrough which are of an appropriate size to permit a butterfly or moth to reach the food source with its proboscis. The feeder may be hung from an overhead support and a crawling insect guard can be included to prevent small crawling insects such as ants and the like from reaching the protective grid and the food source when the feeder is hung from a tree or the like.