[SeaCucumber]

1. What is the best chemical composition for the mixture?
2. Where can we get it?
3. What feeders are good for it?

 

[SeaCucumber]

This suggests that NaCl is good, and shows potential for other salts. See Fig. 3.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/een.12375

 

[AR Beekeeper]

It is probable that your bees are finding any nutrients they require in their forage area. Bees are attracted by common table salt in water, but I know of no study that has determined the amount required by a bee. Most attempts by hobby beekeepers to improve nutrition, other than feeding sugar syrup or pollen supplement patties when needed, usually falls in the "feel good" work category.

 

[ericweller]

I used to put out a high mineral salt lick for the deer and the bees were all over the ground around it.

 

[little_john]

I used to put out a high mineral salt lick for the deer and the bees were all over the ground around it.

Animal salt-licks would be my 'best guess' too - but it's only a guess. I've also frequently thought about supplying a dose of those trace elements which are added by NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) growers to their solutions (seeing as I've already got a few packets of the stuff in stock). After all, such microscopic amounts of relatively rare minerals (cobalt etc) are essential requirements for many plants which produce pollen. Well - it's theory ...

But - up until now they've done ok on naturally sourced pollen - so there appears to be no pressing need to make any changes to that diet.
LJ

 

[Hogback Honey]

My bees use to be all over the horse pee spots, not so much this year.

 

[G3farms]

Not sure what is in the salt water swimming pools but the bees seem to like that.

 

[LAlldredge]

Not scientific but my bees prefer a teaspoon of salt in their bird feeder water. Frederick Dunn on YouTube did an informal study with water sources and salt. Just regular salt, nothing fancy.