Pollen patties serve to accelerate brood rearing when natural pollen supplies are scarce, such as during spring before nectar flows begin. They should ideally be fed before this cycle has concluded and nectar flows begin.
Place a patty at the center of a cluster with its perforated paper facing downward and place gently smoked down over time to monitor their bees. Check on them frequently as necessary.
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Spring
Commercial beekeepers frequently employ pollen patties to stimulate brood production during late winter and early spring, the period when populations build up prior to nectar flows. This method has proven highly successful at both increasing honey yields as well as preventing colony collapse.
Bees require both carbohydrates (from sugar syrup and honey) and protein for brood rearing, with natural pollen sources typically providing them. When availability decreases however, pollen patties provide an alternative source.
Beekeepers use synthetic supplements made up of pollen, sugar, oil, lemon juice or citric acid, yeast and other additives known as patties to supplement their colonies during times of low natural nectar flow. When and how often these are fed can differ based on location and beekeeper – in areas prone to Small Hive Beetles for instance summer feeding should be undertaken cautiously.
Summer
Beekeepers in many regions rely on pollen patties during late winter and spring months to boost brood production and establish strong colonies. Bees attempt to maximize population before the first nectar flow arrives; by feeding protein rich pollen patties early enough, you can help them meet this goal and prevent starvation.
Feeding patties during this season comes with some risks. Their sugar content could attract small hive beetles (SHB), so be wary to monitor your hives closely.
If using pollen patties, ensure they are of high quality and easily accessible by bees; too far from their cluster will prevent them from eating them. Finally, don’t waste either pollen substitute or patties; both freeze well for later use in supplementing your hive; just remember that most nutrients come from natural sources rather than pollen substitutes and patties.
Fall
Pollen patties can help bee colonies remain healthy and strong during fall’s lower pollen availability, as well as encourage them to start their winter preparations early.
Pollen patties contain protein to aid bees in quickly building their brood supply before their natural supply runs dry in spring, or provide extra nutrition to bee colonies that have experienced poor weather, stress or disease.
Create your own pollen patties using this recipe:
Winter
Pollen patties can provide your bees with protein during winter. Crafted with high quality pollen alternatives like Bee Pro or Ultra Bee, pollen patties contain protein comparable to that found in natural spring pollen and provide them with essential nutrition during the cold months.
Supplying your bees with this food type is crucial for winter survival, helping them adapt to colder temperatures while maintaining an ideal body temperature that enables them to rear brood during this critical season.
Note that these patty substitutes only contain about 4 percent protein to avoid encouraging your bees to start brood-rearing too soon and risk starvation. A diet rich in proteins may encourage too rapid an increase in body size, leading to overeating of honey that results in starvation for your bees in winter months.
