Pollen feeders provide an easy and straightforward solution for supplementing the protein needs of bee colonies during early Spring when there may be few blooms available to feed off of.
Numerous researchers have investigated the effect of pollen substitute feeding on Vairimorpha cerana loads, but results are inconsistent and more research should be conducted on this subject.
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Simple Design
Honey bees require a simple feeder: a frame-sized box with rigid edges filled with sugar syrup. This device can be placed inside or outside the hive and is typically utilized when foraging conditions are unfavourable; bees will orient themselves to this food source by following their natural dance to find it.
Pollen substitute diets can provide essential nourishment for bee colonies during periods of reduced natural protein availability; however, recent data indicates that some may put colony health at risk. Further investigation must take place into how different diets impact pest and pathogen loads, brood physiology and queen health.
Beekeepers should be cognizant of this limitation to modern research: sample size. Small colonies are especially vulnerable, as their statistical power can quickly decline when examined closely. Furthermore, many studies lack appropriate negative controls due to limited colonies suitable for testing in the field and/or lab facilities which do not offer such controls.
Easy to Assemble
Pollen substitute is often fed to their colonies during warm weather as an effective means of providing protein when natural sources are unavailable, helping ensure they have enough for survival. Beekeepers use pollen substitute for this purpose.
Beekeepers frequently employ Boardman feeders – an inverted jar or paint can with perforations that allows bees to access. You will typically find these in beekeeping beginner kits. Unfortunately, this kind of feeder may leak and filling can be challenging due to changes in air pressure; overfilling may occur from sudden air shifts and it can drown bees when liquid syrup pours out under it.
Frame feeders provide an effective alternative, consisting of a feeding container built to resemble the shape and size of a honey super. Used either inside or outside the hive, frame feeders can prevent robbing and drowning while being easy to make compared to other feeders. Although it might require some effort for its creation, its benefits outweigh its difficulties.
Easy to Clean
Pollen feeders provide a simple solution for honey bee colonies lacking enough natural protein sources, including nearby flowers. Bees should only use pollen feeders during times when their natural food sources cannot meet their protein needs.
To create a pollen feeder, fill a clean container with sugar syrup, punch or drill 6 to 8 small holes in its lid and position it over top bars in your hive’s top box. Finally, put risers made from wood over it all for extra stability.
Review of existing research on pollen substitute diets revealed too few data points for reliable analysis, due to too few sample sizes being collected. Further investigation is required on diet’s impacts on pest and pathogen loads, queen health and physiology as well as ways to avoid transmission of Vairimorpha ceranae through pollen substitutes.
Easy to Maintain
Feeding honey bees requires using one of a number of feeders available and pouring sugar syrup directly into a feeding receptacle, applying it directly onto the hive, or both. White sugar syrup should only be used since other forms are likely to contaminate their honey supply or cause robbing of their colony.
Beekeepers looking to save both time and effort often opt for Boardman feeders, which feature a jar that sits outside the hive’s entrance with an easily-accessed feeding tray that slides inside it for convenient feeding access. The jar makes keeping track of feed levels easy as well as cleaning out your feeder more effectively.
Pollen substitute and supplement recipes require further investigation due to their varied effects on managed bee colonies’ health. Some diets may increase pathogen loads or lower queen health and diet digestibility (Supplementary Tables 1-3), making testing all these different recipes impossible due to beekeepers’ use of both commercial and homemade pollen replacement products and supplements currently.
