Ohio Beekers

[ONG2]

When do you folks put out pollen patties?

Also I have a 5 gallon pail of corn syrup from 2 years ago, it has not been opened. Any reason not to use it this spring? Should I thin it down with water or use it as is?

Thanks in advance.

[Don L]

I put mine in yesterday while it was warm anough to open the tops. I know some beekeepers who put them in before me.
The corn syrup should be ok. I would just heat it up to get it liquid again if it is set up.

[Mitch]

ONG2 i am not sure what part of hio you are in,farther south it could be a few weeks different.I put my pollen patties on around the 15th of March.I try to get them on about 2 weeks befor the maples bloom and that is any time between the 15th and the 30th of march,usualy it is toward the end of the month.

Was cold last night 7 deg not good aleast from me.I would likw to put patties and syurp on at the same time but it is just to cold right now i find they will not take syrup well till the temps are in the 50sBut they will take the patties in colder weather.I do not see the point in feeding pollen or syurp to early unless your hives are starving.

Are you planning to do splits?

[John Gesner]

Mitch, thanks for the pms...

ONG2, search on this site for HFCS or corn syrup. There's guidance on what to look for when it gets too old to use. I've got 2 1/2 gallons in the basement that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with. I'm going to be using honey in my pollen patties...

[BerkeyDavid]

I put my patties on when Mitch tells me to :):):)

[ONG2]

I have 3 hives that were nucs last year. They were coming on strong going into the fall and we got around 35lbs of sugar 2 parts sugar to 1 part water into each hive during the late fall.

I had not planned on doing splits this year but wanted to get them off to a good start.

[peggjam]

I'm hoping to start pp next week here, with syrup on shortly after, depending on what the temps deciede to do. I hope it warms up soon.....I am so ready for spring:).