Keeping Pollen Patties from Drying Out

[bsnav]

How do you keep Pollen Patties semi-moist in the Hive? I use Mega-Bee from Dadant and mix in water and honey. They're very soft when I put them on the top bars, but they dry out and turn hard as a brick. Does this matter?

[Keith Jarrett]

don't use water

[bsnav]

Keith, What liquid should I use?

[ginnboy]

Put smaller quantities in. I put halves in my hives.

[Keith Jarrett]

Keith, What liquid should I use?

Bsnav, your question was, "how to keep pollen sub from drying out' WATER IS NOT YOUR FREIND IN POLLEN SUB MIX. Mega bee is fine just watch the the moisture content.
good luck,Keith

[Rader Sidetrack]

What liquid should I use?

MegaBee recommends "heavy syrup" or HFCS 55 to make patties. Heavy syrup is defined as 2:1 (or greater) syrup. Here are their detailed instructions:
http://www.megabeediet.com/mixinginstructions.html

[davidsbees]

Use just syrup leave out the water and add at least 7% oil.

[WWW]

I might also add that if you sandwich the MegaBee between two pieces of wax paper this will help keep the sub from drying out in the hive.

[Mbeck]

Inverted sugar might work as well as honey without the risk.
Oil helps.
Products with soy tend to dry quicker in my inexperienced opinion.

[RAK]

Oil makes a huge difference.

[jmgi]

Is used motor oil ok or should it be fresh? John

[RAK]

Try em both and let me know how it goes...