Beekeepers in many parts of the U.S. have had to supplement pollen sources in order to keep their bees healthy during times when natural forage is scarce.
Beekeepers often feed pollen patties in early spring to increase brood production before natural pollen becomes available. However, feeding too early may have detrimental effects on colony strength.
Pollen Patties
In times of severe winter weather or flower shortage, homemade pollen patties for bees can be beneficial. These protein supplements supply essential carbohydrates, proteins and fats to encourage brood production and keep hives healthy.
Beekeepers typically make these patties with dry pollen substitute, sugar syrup and a few drops of honeybee healthy or lemongrass oil. Once pressed between two sheets of wax paper and stored in the freezer until needed, these patties can then be frozen until needed.
In early spring, sprinkle a pollen patty on top bars of the hive or place it in a pollen feeder above the brood box. Doing this helps prevent black mold spores from growing and damaging the hive.
Beekeepers also utilize pollen patties to assist colonies in starting brood production a few weeks before flowers begin blooming again. This helps build a strong hive and prepare it for the busy spring season ahead.
However, beekeepers should avoid adding pollen patties too early in the season if their colonies are already large. Cold spells can cause bees to spread too thin and die of starvation or freezing; thus why many don’t supplement until warmer weather returns and natural sources of pollen return.
Dry Pollen
Dry pollen is an alternative to using patties that can be placed in a feeder and fed directly to the bees. This method of providing protein to colonies with low protein stores is more efficient.
Many beekeepers have adopted this technique due to its numerous benefits. One major advantage is that there’s no need for disturbing the hive or lifting any boxes – an enormous help if one has a hectic schedule or needs to remove a colony for some reason.
Another advantage of dry pollen substitutes is that they do not attract small hive beetles, making it a safer alternative to patties while still providing your bees with essential protein. In areas where these insects are common, beekeepers can utilize this as an effective means of providing their bees with essential nutrition.
It has also been observed that fat bodies are larger in bees fed a commercial pollen substitute fortified with essential amino acids (Rogala and Szymas, 2004; Ricigliano and Simone-Finstrom, 2020). These findings suggest nutrient levels may affect thorax development in bees; however, it remains uncertain if this effect results from dietary ingredients or an impaired thorax caused by nutrition stress.
Feeders
Bees do a remarkable job of collecting natural pollen for their own consumption, but when supplies become low or flowers are scarce, it may be beneficial to provide them with protein supplements like pollen patties or dry pollen.
To maximize protein intake throughout the year, try making a homemade pollen feeder. They’re simple to construct and cost-effective to purchase, making them an ideal supplement.
When selecting a bee feeder, your needs should be taken into consideration. Feeders designed to cause robbing tend to drown more bees than other varieties do, so be sure to take this into account when making your selection.
Frame feeders made of smooth plastic often drown bees, but newer types have rough sides which encourage them to climb out. You may also add floats to the feeder in order to prevent drowning.
If your beehive does not already have a frame feeder, creating one is easy with any container with a wide lid. Not only are these easy to refill and maintain, but you should check it periodically for signs of theft.
