If you are looking for a good pollen substitute, you can buy pollen patties. These are ready-to-eat patty sticks that contain a variety of proteins and carbohydrates. There are two main types available: 4% and 15% protein versions. If you choose a higher protein version, you can also buy Bee Pro Patties, which have a higher percentage of protein than regular pollen.
Premade pollen patties provide protein and carbohydrates
Premade pollen patties are a great way to give your honeybees a boost of nutrition. They’re available in 10-pound packages and weigh approximately one pound each. They’re also formulated with the health aid Pro Health, which helps encourage bees to eat the patties faster. This helps them produce more brood, which means a more productive hive.
Pollen patties are made from a blend of dry pollen substitute, water, and cane sugar. It’s then shaped into a thin pancake that bees can readily consume. Pollen patties are best added to the hive 6 weeks before honey flow. Adding pollen patties earlier than this can trigger premature stimulation.
Pollen patties are usually fed to bee colonies in early spring or late February and March, depending on climate. The patties help adult bees feed and produce more brood. It’s also beneficial for weak colonies.
Bee Pro Patties are a high protein pollen substitute
Bee Pro Patties are a high-protein pollen substitute that provides a complete protein diet for the larvae of bees. The patties also contain B complex vitamins and minerals. The patties are specially formulated to provide the complete nutrition needed by bees for brood production. They can be used as an alternative to natural pollen in late winter for increased brood production.
Bee Pro Patties are available in two different forms: in dry form and in patty form. Both types can be used in the hive or yard feeder box. The dry version of Bee Pro Patties is easier to store and feed to the bees than the patties. Besides being easier to store and feed, Bee Pro Patties are also free of contamination.
Pollen patties are not as expensive as real pollen, but they are a great way to ensure that the bees get adequate protein during the winter. This is important for preventing early swarming, which can occur when a colony lacks sufficient pollen. It is also important to be careful when using pollen patties as they are expensive. A good tip for using pollen patties is to place them near the brood nest so the nurse bees can get to them easily. Also, patties can be squished between frames.
When to feed pollen patties to bees
Beekeepers commonly feed their bees pollen patties during the late winter and early spring to increase brood production. This food provides a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat that bees need to produce a healthy hive. Pollen patties are especially useful for boosting brood production, and can help build strong hives and increase hive population. Pollen patties are usually prepared by dropping patties on wax paper.
While feeding pollen patties to bees is beneficial for your bees, there are some factors you should keep in mind before feeding your bees. First of all, you should monitor your colony to determine when it needs to be fed. If it is struggling, you should supplement with honey instead. You should also buy pollen patties made from high-quality sources. Alternatively, you can make your own pollen patties from pollen substitute, sugar, and water.
Pollen patties are best fed to bees in early spring, before nectar flows begin. Depending on your climate, feeding pollen patties can also be beneficial in the fall when the flowers have finished blooming. Commercial beekeepers sometimes supplement their pollen patties with pollen patties as well. Hobbyists, on the other hand, rarely need to use pollen patties.
