This is a hungry time for honey bees. Snows are melting and the days are lengthening, but trees and plants are only now coming out of dormancy. The first spring flowers are a ways off yet. On warm days, the bees fly from their hive in search of food, but there is little available. Most beekeepers help things along by feeding their bees.
A few weeks ago, we gave our bees sugar syrup, but now, the hives are becoming more active. The bees want pollen for protein, especially now that the queens are laying eggs. The worker bees need to feed protein to the new brood.
We found a basic chemical-free recipe for pollen substitute from the Scottish Beekeeping Association (SBA). What follows is our recipe, adapted with acknowledgement from the SBA Technical Data Sheet on Pollen Substitute.
A few weeks ago, we gave our bees sugar syrup, but now, the hives are becoming more active. The bees want pollen for protein, especially now that the queens are laying eggs. The worker bees need to feed protein to the new brood.
We found a basic chemical-free recipe for pollen substitute from the Scottish Beekeeping Association (SBA). What follows is our recipe, adapted with acknowledgement from the SBA Technical Data Sheet on Pollen Substitute.
Recipe for Pollen Substitute
| Yield: Approx 1 lb
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients until well blended. Add sugar syrup a little at a time to make a stiff dough-like patty. The mixture should not flow under its own weight. Prepare a sheet of waxed paper by rubbing a light film of vegetable oil on the surface. Press the patty mixture flat to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into 4-ounce patties. To prevent sticking, separate the patties with waxed paper and seal in a plastic bag. |  Mixture is pressed or rolled flat on waxed paper.  Flattened patty is cut into smaller pieces. |
Patties can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. To store longer, patties should be frozen; thaw to room temperature before giving them to bees.
Out in the spring bee yard, the workers are flying and there is good activity in thehives. Our bees have honey stores to eat, but the pollen patties are a nutritious addition. In a 7-10 day period, each hive used a 4-ounce patty. On this day, we will replenish the patties.
 Opening bee hive to place pollen patty  Placing patty near brood where workers will process it |  Lifting a frame to check activity, especially egg laying  Replacement patty going into hungry hive |
There are too great benefits to using pollen patties ... the bees get the protein boost they need at the end of a long, cold winter; the beekeepers get a little peace of mind as we wait for warm, flower-filled days to arrive.
And did you know ... the two most important springtime plants for foraging honey bees are pussy willows and dandelions? In the coming weeks, if you are blessed with a lawn full of dandelions, leave them for the bees. The pollen from these early plants is indispensable food for the hive.
And did you know ... the two most important springtime plants for foraging honey bees are pussy willows and dandelions? In the coming weeks, if you are blessed with a lawn full of dandelions, leave them for the bees. The pollen from these early plants is indispensable food for the hive.
 Honey bee on willow flower | .jpg) Honey bee on dandelion flower |
Photo credits
Honey bee on dandelion - via Wikimedia Commons
Honey bee on willow - Donnachaidh Bees
All other images - therebloomsagarden.com
Honey bee on dandelion - via Wikimedia Commons
Honey bee on willow - Donnachaidh Bees
All other images - therebloomsagarden.com
