Contaminated Pollen Patties?

[Truchaos]

I purchased pollen patties and placed them in the hives late last fall. The bees took them down with no problems. Then this spring I was inspecting the hives and found one hive with a pollen patty partially eaten but completely covered in gray white fluffy mold.

As I inspected the hive, I found that the honey stores and stored pollen on several frames were covered with a gray white fluffy mold. The brood was clean and in good shape.

I tossed the affected frames, replaced the bottom board with a screened bottom board (better ventilation). So far I haven't seen anymore of the mold.

Could it have been mold spores in the pollen patties?

[JBJ]

More likely spores from the wild germinated on the uneaten and moist patty media. Spores are everywhere just looking for spots to grow. A good hive will take the patty down so fast that nothing gets a chance to get growing in the first place.

[Ravenseye]

That's common with patties. They provide a fertile medium to grow mold. Nothing to worry about, it wasn't the fault of the patty. I pull mine if the bees don't finish them off and they get moldy.