Honey bee colonies require both carbohydrates and proteins for survival. Honey and sugar syrup provide carbohydrates while natural pollen or pollen patties supply protein.
At spring buildup time when natural pollen supplies are low, many beekeepers supplement their hives with protein via pollen patties – but this could have adverse repercussions for colony development if done too soon.
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1. Natural Pollen Patties
In springtime, it can be beneficial to give your colony an additional pollen patty to encourage early brood production and also be useful during fall when certain plants continue producing pollen.
Pollen patties provide bees with both protein and carbs – both essential fuel sources – in addition to providing energy for their duties, chores, and foraging activities.
Pollen patties should be provided throughout the year but are especially beneficial during spring when beekeepers attempt to build up populations prior to an expected nectar flow. They’re especially helpful for pollination services that rent colonies out, while uneaten patties could become tempting targets for Small Hive Beetles in some regions; beekeepers typically place patties directly above clusters with the paper side down so bees can quickly access it.
2. Organic Pollen Patties
Many beekeepers supplement their hives during periods of insufficient natural pollen production with pollen substitute patties to supplement natural production, especially during colony buildup in spring. It is crucial to time the delivery of pollen patty at just the right moment so it doesn’t arrive before natural pollen becomes available, otherwise nurse bees could tear apart newly capped brood cells and deplete its protein stores, leading to premature termination of your colony’s protein stores and ultimately death of its population.
These protein supplements usually consist of soybean flour, brewer’s yeast, sugar, and other ingredients designed to mimic natural pollen in terms of their nutritional profile. Pollen supplements provide bees with a well-rounded diet of proteins, carbohydrates and other essential vitamins and minerals; however, winter feeding should be avoided as this could stimulate brood production which could result in defecation inside their hive.
3. Bee Food Patties
Bee food patties can be an easy and delicious way to provide your colony with the essential protein it needs for good health. Their compact design makes them easy for them to consume while their ingredients include soybean flour, brewer’s yeast, sugar, and honey; all ingredients that bees love! Adding these elements helps form malleable dough which can easily be placed atop of the hive for use by bees.
Bee food patties are often utilized during winter and spring to help build up populations before nectar flow starts. At these times, low protein may become evident in your apiary; indicators include an absence of new eggs or larvae being produced, nurses cannibalizing existing ones or an apparent “dry brood” appearance among brood cells.
Make your own pollen patty by mixing all of the ingredients until they have the consistency of wet peanut butter and dropping onto a sheet of wax paper with folding over so bees can access it easily.
4. Bee Supplement Patties
These pellets are typically composed of ingredients designed to mimic pollen. As high-protein food sources, these supplies can provide much-needed nutrition for weak colonies. Unfortunately, the quality of ingredients varies from brand to brand – to ensure maximum nutritional benefit, they must remain fresh and stored correctly for maximum nutrition value.
They can be useful tools for those wishing to expand their hives, rent out pollination hives or strengthen weak colonies. But it is essential that bees don’t experience too much stimulation – too many eggs laid at once may result in starvation for both mother and bees!
Bee supplement patties can provide your colonies with all the protein they require until natural pollen becomes available. Placed on top bars of your hive, they ensure they’re easily accessible by cluster members and can even be wrapped in wax paper to protect from moisture and pests.
