Honey bee winter patties have two main purposes. They encourage the queen to rear her brood late in the season, and they keep moisture out of the hive. Unlike winter patties, spring patties have a high protein content. The purpose of winter patties is to prevent the queen from rearing brood early, but they can be placed in hives as early as December or as late as March.
Pollen patties stimulate brood production
In the winter or late spring, beekeepers commonly feed their bees pollen patties, which contain a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. These nutrients help the bees raise their brood. Bees that consume sufficient protein and carbohydrates tend to produce more brood than drones. This helps beekeepers monitor drone brood production and boost the population of their hives. They can be dropped on wax paper and inserted into the hive to promote brood production.
When used properly, pollen patties can also help improve the health of a bee colony. Unlike protein patties, which are often cheaper, pollen patties are an excellent choice for a colony in need. The key to maximizing the benefits of pollen patties is to make sure that they are continuously available. Adding a protein supplement during peak production may cause premature stimulation, which is detrimental to the health of the colony.
During the winter, bees will tend to move their clusters upward to higher locations. However, they will still prefer natural pollen. Adding pollen patties in the winter is not advisable, as the bees will swarm. Moreover, you must make sure that all of your food sources are above the clusters. By following these guidelines, you can create your own pollen patties without sacrificing the nutritional value of your bees.
Sugar patties keep moisture out of the hive
While sugar and carbohydrates provide the bees with supplemental feeding, it’s not enough to just feed them; they also need pollen. Bees need pollen to build a strong immune system and produce honey and wax. Winter patties keep moisture out of the hive and provide supplemental sugar for the bees. Winter patties are simple to make, and they keep the bees together without having to move around.
To make winter sugar patties, combine five pounds of sugar, seven and a half ounces of water, one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar, and 1/4 cup Bee Pro protein. You can also use re-used fruit clam shells and bake the patty directly onto the frames. To keep moisture out of the hive, bees will stay in the hive longer and produce more honey.
During the winter, bees store stored reserves of food as energy. Feeding them during winter can help maintain the health of the colony, as the stored reserves are used up as energy as temperatures drop. And it’s easy and convenient to do! Unlike feeding them with syrup, winter feeding is easy and inexpensive to do. All you have to do is place a winter patty near the cluster and give it a quick inspection. Be sure not to disturb the cluster. You can continue winter feeding when the weather is right.
AP23 winter patties contain high carbohydrate feed
If you’re trying to make your bees survive the long, cold winter months, consider using AP23 honey bee winter patties. These AP23 treats are made with a high carbohydrate content and are good for winter and early spring bees. While they may melt in high temperatures, these treats will be fine. Just remember to store them below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t use them immediately, wrap them in wax paper and store them in the freezer.
One company produces several patty products for honey bees. One of them, Dadant AP23(r) mix, is a great supplement to be used in conjunction with Honey B Healthy (r).
In a study conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Research Service, AP23 was a promising alternative for winter feeding honey bees. It contains a variety of nutrients, including a high amount of carbohydrate. Pollen is essential for larval development, as well as for producing brood. In addition, pollen stimulates bees to produce brood, so it’s a good idea to provide an alternative for winter feeding. Pollen patties can be applied onto wax paper and left for a week.
