If your hives are struggling to produce enough brood this summer, pollen patties may be just what they need. They contain all the protein your bees need to grow and survive.
But they do need to be fed at the right time. It depends on your location, but the first major pollen flow can be a good time to add them to encourage brood production.
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What is a pollen patty?
Pollen patties are a protein supplement that provides bees with the nutrients they need to grow brood. This supplemental nutrition boost is a must for colonies in need, especially during the late winter and spring when there is a lack of adequate forage available to bees.
Bees need a protein source and a carbohydrate source for their daily needs, which include feeding larvae, cleaning the hive, and guarding it. This dietary balance is critical for bees to survive and thrive in a confined environment.
The decision to feed pollen patties varies from beekeeper to beekeeper depending on the colony’s needs and climate. For example, a commercial beekeeper might use them to stimulate brood production before the nectar flow arrives, or a backyard beekeeper may only offer them in the summer if there is no adequate pollen source in their area.
Pollen patties are a protein supplement with vitamins, lipids and minerals. A typical hive will use 4-5 patties per year.
How do I feed my bees?
Feeding pollen patties is a common strategy for beekeepers to help their colonies survive a summer that lacks natural forage. However, they should be used carefully and in the right circumstances.
Generally speaking, the ideal time to feed your bees with patties is early spring or late autumn, when bees are in a’stressed’ phase. These are the times that they need extra protein in their diets to ensure brood-rearing.
Bees should be able to access their protein sources 24/7 when they are in a hive and patties are one of the most effective ways to give them that access.
The exact position to place your patties inside the hive varies from beekeeper to beekeeper, but they should be placed directly on top bars or frames close to the brood nest. This will enable the nurse bees to easily collect the patty from above. Using patties can also help to prevent small hive beetle infestations.
When is the best time to feed pollen patties?
If you’re a beekeeper who has trouble keeping up with the bees, pollen patties may be a good supplement to help you out. They’re available in ready-to-feed patty form or as a powder that you can mix with sugar syrup to make DIY patties.
A pollen patty is designed to lay across the top of a frame in your hive, directly above the brood nest. This provides nurse bees with direct access to the protein, allowing them to produce more eggs and larvae.
The right time to feed pollen patties depends on your region, climate, and the timing of the first major nectar flow. Ideally, you want to start feeding them around the same time that pollen becomes readily available outside of the hive.
However, it is a good idea to take extra precautions with summer feedings if you live in an area where Small Hive Beetles are a problem. This will require offering your pollen patties in smaller pieces (a half pound at a time) and replenishing it more often.
How do I store pollen patties?
Pollen patties are a great way to help your bees in times of low nectar flow. They are a mixture of sugar, vitamins, lemon juice or citric acid, dried egg, oil, yeast, and honey designed to stimulate brood production.
Ideally, they should be fed at the beginning of spring, right before the nectar flow. They are also useful in late winter, when honey stores run low and bees need a boost of protein.
They can be purchased ready-to-feed from a number of sources, or made from a pollen substitute with some added sugar. They are not cheap, so you want to make sure you are buying good quality from a reputable company.
