Honey Bee Feeder

thingiverse

I print two colors, black at the bottom and blue at the top, creating a striking visual effect. Honey bees perceive color differently than humans do, which is why I search online for pictures showing how flowers appear to them. Honey bees are unable to see red, so I avoid printing in that color. Instead, I opt for hues closer to the ultraviolet spectrum, as they seem to find UV-absorbing colors more appealing. To create a sweet mixture, I combine bottled water with a generous amount of white sugar. If using a standard water bottle, I fill it halfway with filtered water and add sugar until the bottle is three-quarters full, then shake vigorously to dissolve the sugar evenly. Warm water makes the process easier. The sweeter the mixture, the less attractive it will be to wasps. Yellowjackets and wasps typically prefer savory flavors, which explains why they often congregate near trash cans or feed on meat. I fill the feeder to its top ridges first. Future experiments aim to design a more ergonomic feeding system for honey bees, potentially incorporating threads that allow a water bottle to be screwed in for extended feeding.