Clean and sanitize feeders before each refill

Wash feeders thoroughly with hot water and a stiff brush before adding fresh syrup. Residual syrup film left from previous fills harbors yeast colonies that inoculate new batches and trigger fermentation within hours rather than days.

Steps

1. Empty any remaining old syrup and discard it away from the apiary to avoid attracting robber bees
2. Scrub all interior surfaces with hot water and a bottle brush, paying attention to corners and jar threads where biofilm accumulates
3. Rinse with clean water -- do not use soap or bleach, as residues can harm bees
4. Allow feeders to air-dry in direct sunlight for 15-20 minutes; UV exposure provides additional surface sanitization

Tips

• Dedicated feeder brush -- keep one brush solely for feeder cleaning to avoid cross-contamination from household detergents
• Inspect feeders for cracks or rough spots where biofilm can hide; replace damaged feeders
• In hot weather, clean feeders at every refill (every 2-3 days); in cooler weather, weekly cleaning is sufficient