[toomanyhandles]

I realized I have some global patties left over from.. hmm. last fall? Not this most recent fall, anyway.

They have been in the basement, wrapped nicely in plastic wrap, so kept in relatively cool/ stable temps and protected from oxidation to a degree.

Would the bees take them still, or are they likely to be considered past it? I would like to use patties for an obs. hive that could use a little help closer to spring, but if they aren't taken that just adds to cleaning tasks. The full hives if they are not taken it's less of a fuss.

Thanks! for thoughts.

 

[concrete-bees]

what i do is freeze my extra in april and then use them next year-
not sure if they stay out like that - but seems ok - being that pollan stays in the hive cells over the winter and summer??

also - how many do you have ?? is it worth just chukin out and buying new???

Ernie has a great deal on his patties - i just bought some today - well.....sent the check - so i should get them soon -

Seth

 

[toomanyhandles]

Well, my thought is global patties aren't just pollen. Only N% or whatever.

Pollen itself- good for eons -- I've done that microscopy : ) : )

 

[concrete-bees]

yeah they are a mix of - sugars, soy, flour,etc

so as long as they are not molding ... they seem like they should be good

 

[Countryboy]

The nutritional value of the proteins degrades over time. The fresher the better.

I have read where successful commercial beekeepers say they would not feed patties over two years old and expect to get any good out of them.

Patties have sugar in them, so the bees will take the patties, even if the patties are old and the nutritional value is minimal.

Still, I would say that an old patty is better than no patty. (Then again, I am a tightwad, and would try to get any remaining value from old patties, rather than toss them in the trash.)