Cleaning the Year-Round Hive-top Feeder
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The Year-Round Hive-top Feeder has a unique design that makes it easy to clean out the inevitable mold and debris that collects in the syrup reservoir.  The feeder mesh (screening) that keeps the bees out of the reservoir is removable, allowing you to clean the feeder periodically.  Debris such as mold and dead bugs discourages the bees from feeding and can even affect their health if left unchecked.  And syrup left in the reservoir containing debris will spoil, since the bees won't touch it.  You'll have wasted all your time and effort mixing the syrup and feeding it to your bees.

Follow these instructions to return your feeder to a clean, and most importantly usable, condition.

	Remove the feeder mesh Using a screwdriver, remove the screws and washers securing the feeder mesh onto the top of the feeding platform.  After you remove the screws and washers from the mesh, carefully lift the mesh from the feeder to avoid scratching the polyurethane seal on the sides of the reservoir.
	Clean the syrup reservoir Rinse out the reservoir with water to remove the loose debris that is not stuck down with sugar.  Continue to rinse the reservoir until the dried sugar has softened or dissolved.  If there is a a lot of dried sugar, you may wish to fill the feeder with water and let it soak for a few hours to allow the sugar to dissolve. Using a soft-bristle brush, such as a dish-washing brush, clean out all foreign matter and mold.  Take special care to not scratch the reservoir interior with the brush to avoid damaging the integrity of the waterproof polyurethane seal.
	Replace the feeder mesh Place the mesh back onto the feeder, matching up the same holes on the mesh with the holes on the feeding platform.  Be careful to not scratch the reservoir interior.  Make sure the mesh contacts the reservoir walls and floor as it was originally installed.  This prevents gaps between the mesh and the floor of the reservoir through which the bees can escape. When replacing screws, first place a washer onto the mesh, fitting the depressed portion of the washer into the countersunk screw hole.  Fit the screw through the washer and tighten the screw -- hand tighten only.  Do not use a power drill to tighten the screw, as this runs the risk of stripping out the screw hole, making it impossible to keep the screw tight.
	Finished Congratulations!  You now have a like-new hive-top feeder from which the bees will love to drink, and which still doesn't leak syrup.  Regular and careful cleaning will ensure you'll enjoy your feeder for many seasons of beekeeping.

Starter Hive
Dual-Access Hive-top Feeder
EZ-Fill Top Cover
Year-Round Hive-top Feeder

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