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Should bees be given pollen substitutes(protein patties) in the fall?
Pollen substitute in fall
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Didn't you all in RI have a drought recently? I imagine you had a dearth of pollen along with a dearth of nectar. I would offer them a quarter of a patty and see how they respond. If they eat it, give them some more.
In a "normal" year the best time to feed pollen is late winter but with a drought the pollen production by the flowers in the fall is minimal and the bees need some protein.
A nice article on feeding pollen"
https://www.honeybeesuite.com/when-..., in some areas, fall,It depends on your area.
In a "normal" year the best time to feed pollen is late winter but with a drought the pollen production by the flowers in the fall is minimal and the bees need some protein.
A nice article on feeding pollen"
https://www.honeybeesuite.com/when-..., in some areas, fall,It depends on your area.
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Joined
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Thanks for the advice, I will give them 1/2 of a pattie.
The last two seasons my bees had very little pollen available due to drought so this year I bought extra patties to feed in the fall and I have even though the fall pollen flow has been more than adequate. I still think the patties were a sound investment building strong winter bees.
Many references, Hive & Honeybee etc., state that feeding bees pollen sub in the fall prompts the making of ordinary, summer bees & delays the production of winter bees. Supposedly, the declining pollen availability initiates the raising of winter bees & by feeding pollen sub, you're actually encouraging more summer brood.
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Ok, I think the wright order is feed pollen sub in August so September bee are healthy to raise winter bee in October just like treating for Varroa.
Also if there is a pollen dearth all bets are off.
Also if there is a pollen dearth all bets are off.
wright?
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