The first thing you may wonder is whether it is really necessary to use pollen patties during the summer. Bees use them as a source of natural pollen, but they prefer using natural pollen instead. This is true in the early and late seasons, as well as during the June Gap, a short period of time after the end of spring flowers. However, you should be aware that these patties can last for several weeks, and the bees may ignore them if they are not available.
Pollen patties stimulate more brood production
The purpose of providing pollen patties to bee colonies is to promote brood production and maintain a healthy population. During the spring and summer months, these patties should be fed to bees during periods of low pollen production. The timing of when and where you provide pollen patties is critical. If you feed your bees patties in the summer, the bees will eat them as well as the pollen from the patties.
Beekeepers also feed their bees sugar syrup during the summer months to distract robbers. This pollen serves as a source of raw material for the colony to process. Beekeepers should base their decisions on hive inspections to ensure the colony’s needs are met. Pollen patties should not be fed during the winter months when nectar is scarce. However, it may be helpful in the summer months, when the queen bee lays more eggs.
Although pollen patties in summer do not increase the number of eggs produced, they may increase the production of brood in colonies that are stressed by heat, cold or pest pressures. In addition, this practice may also promote the development of resistant strains of the colonies. Therefore, it is important to choose the proper pollen substitute for the needs of your colony. This can be done through a feed analysis.
They attract hive beetles
Beekeepers who put out pollen patties in summer have to be aware of hive beetle infestation. These pests will destroy your hives and honey crop. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent their presence. One way to protect your hives is to add some slaked lime or diatomaceous earth to your hive supers. Apply this substance to the soil around your hive, or place trays of it on the bottom board of your hive box. This method will help control the adult SHB that live in your hive.
While pollen substitutes are a viable option, beekeepers should consider their bees’ nutritional needs when making a pollen patty. In the summer months, bees will prefer natural pollen. In addition, warmer days bring fresh food to the hive. In order to keep bees healthy, you must ensure that your bees are properly fed and well-tended. If your hive is overcrowded, they’re more likely to swarm, which can kill up to half of your bees.
Beetle larvae are tiny insects that are reddish-brown or black and have clubbed antennae. They are usually found with their heads tucked under their bodies. A similar looking beetle, the Dusky sap beetle, has three pairs of legs near its head. Unlike the wax moth, SHB larvae have large spines on their rear ends.
They are not needed in summer
The main reason why bees need pollen patties is to stimulate the rearing of their broods. During the early spring, just before the first nectar flow, the bees will need these patties to help them produce brood. In the summer, however, they will ignore the patties, as pollen will still be available from other flowers. So, what’s the best time to give pollen patties?
The best time to use pollen patties is during the winter and early spring, when your colony may not have enough honey to sustain itself. Pollen patties will aid overwintering bees to produce worker bees. Because the bees’ absorption rate increases during this time, pollen patties will be eaten by the bees. If you’re wondering when the best time to use pollen patties is, you can use them in the same manner as you do during the winter.
If you’re wondering why you’re not getting a lot of pollen during the summer, you should consider that bees will not store the pollen in abundance. Bees can only store a small amount of pollen, and if they’re stuck indoors for a long time, the stores will run out. The only way to ensure that bees’ stores stay full is to provide them with pollen patties.
