One way to make your bees happy is by feeding them pollen patties. These tasty treats contain only pollen, which stimulates more brood production. Another benefit of pollen patties is that they are harmless to robber bees and other small hive pests. You can make individual patties and freeze them in wax paper. This can be used all year round or just during the honey harvest.
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Pollen patties stimulate more brood production
Bees benefit from the nutrition provided by pollen patties in winter. These patties are small, individually wrapped nuggets of pollen that are placed on the top bars of the brood nest. Nurse bees can easily access them and can aid in the stimulation of more brood production. Pollen patties can also be fed to the colony during emergencies. You can purchase them in a ten-pound package for maximum convenience.
Pollen patties are given to bees during the pollen dearth during winter. The patties should be given in late February or early March, depending on the climate. Pollen patties are essential for the survival of the colony during this period, when bees must forage for food and nectar. While some commercial beekeepers supplement their pollen patties throughout the year, hobbyists rarely need to do so.
They attract small hive beetles
If you’re not comfortable making your own bee food, consider making winter feeding bees patties. The mixture should be a firm consistency and easily placed on wax paper. Depending on the amount of honey you’ve collected, you can feed two or more hives with one patty or several. You can also add sugar syrup or peanut butter to the mixture and put it on wax paper to flatten it.
Pollen patties attract small hive bees. These pests can cause a serious problem if you use too much of them. Using too much can overstimulate the colony, leaving it with too many worker bees and too little nectar. The best way to avoid these pests is to follow the recommended feeding schedule and hive inspections.
They do not attract robber bees
The first step in winter feeding bees is to check the boxes and offer any remaining honey. Alternatively, if you do not have any honey, you can also offer capped honey (salvaged from dead colonies). Alternatively, you can offer supplemental dry sugar, such as granulated sugar poured onto newspaper or tissue paper. Winter feeding bees patties are a safe alternative to granulated sugar, but they are less likely to attract robber bees.
Sugar patties help the colony absorb moisture and can be an important supplemental food during winter. The mixture can become dry if placed too close to the hives, but water can make it palatable. Bees will cluster on the top of sugar patties if they smell lemongrass oil. Sugar patties should be used as an emergency food supplement and not as the main food.
They do not contain any bee by-products
Using winter feeding bee patties is a great way to give your bees a steady protein supply. This type of food is not suitable for use in warm seasons or in regions where Small Hive Beetles are a problem. You should place these patties near the brood nest, which allows nurse bees to have immediate access to the protein-rich food. Alternatively, you can squish the patties in between frames.
It is important to provide the bees with enough food to ensure that they grow and remain healthy. This way, they will be more resilient to mites and other diseases. Bee patties do not contain any bee by-products and are safe for your bees. Bee patties can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. They are an easy and inexpensive way to provide your bees with a balanced diet throughout the winter.
They are a good choice for late winter bee feeding
During the early fall and winter, beekeepers can feed their colonies a special type of grain called Grease Patty. This food provides the necessary minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins for the bees. It can also control Varroa and Tracheal Mite populations. When combined with food grade essential oils, Grease Patty can also be helpful for mite control. Essential oils are not recommended to be added to your bees’ honey supers, but can greatly enhance their health.
Sugar syrups are a popular option for late winter bee feeding. Bees can digest sugar syrups at a rate of two to one, so they are a good choice for feeding bees in the winter. However, these products don’t compare to the natural food that honey is. Some beekeepers supplement sugar with additional protein and carbs, as well as using honey that is already in season.
