Hard pollen patties

[pahvantpiper]

Ran out of corn syrup and can't get more. I'm using sucrose to mix into my pollen patties but they're turning rock hard around the edges after a few days before the bees can consume them all. Anything else one can add to keep it soft a little longer? Canola oil doesn't seem to work. Thanx.

[Keith Jarrett]

I'm using sucrose to mix into my pollen patties but they're turning rock hard around the edges.

Rob, add 10% dry cane or beet sugar to the sucrose syrup.

[pahvantpiper]

Let me show my ignorance for a minute; I thought sucrose syrup was made from cane or beet sugar already. I made the syrup myself. It's a one to one mix. I then add more dry sugar to the entire mixture that I put in my mortar mixer. It's turning into cement in the hives, especially the small ones that can't eat it fast enough or at least surround to keep it from drying out. Thanx.

[Keith Jarrett]

I'm sorry Rob, I thought you were buying it by the truck load. When it comes by the truck load it comes at 66%, corn comes in at 77% so I was thinking you had too much water in your sub.

[BEES4U]

Rob,
You may have to dip those dry patties in a 1;1 syrup and then put them into the hive.
And, if you can not get the corn syrup try this:
Substitute 1/3 -1/2 of your granulated sugar with C & H bakers Drivert. Drivert is hygroscopic.
You can make the patties softer by reducing the amount of soyflour and yeast.
If your relative humidity is low at the 4,000' level you may have to make the patties moist to offset the drying out.
Consider putting the baties between freezer paper too.
Ernie