Pollen sub out yet?

3954 Views 25 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Wil, Mar 9, 2022

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2016

I had some pollen sub out in a feeder, well protected from rain, starting in the dearth of summer. Noticed about 10 days ago that one of my hives was hitting it pretty good. Now I feed a homemade fondant that I add pollen sub to, but there isn't anything in Bloom in North Texas after a hard freeze. Refilled the feeder yesterday. I took a video of them buzzing in and out, but I also shot a still photo:

Wood Motor vehicle Twig Tree Gas

Gee it worked, and I didn't resize the image or anything. Cool!

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1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #2 · Dec 31, 2016

I know people read this forum because there are 4 people viewing it right now. Come on out, show yourselves and post something? please?

camero7

· #3 · Jan 2, 2017

I put out pollen sub this fall, they never touched it in 3 different yards. All beekeeping is local I guess.

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 5, 2017

I put mine out in the fall, they hit it 2 weeks ago. Fortunately we didn't get much rain and the seal on my pollen sub feeder didn't blow out until AFTER they emptied it twice. Wet pollen sub reeks of dead rat or something, just awful. cleaned up and siliconed yesterday, the bees are in cluster.

camero7

· #5 · Jan 5, 2017

Mine never touched the pollen sub I had out... 3 different yards

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 5, 2017

might be too early. Mine only take it until the elm tree blooms, then they go for elm pollen

camero7

· #7 · Jan 6, 2017

Mine was available to them until the first snow

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 8, 2017

mine don't take it in the fall, but I'd better get the feeder back out by tomorrow morning. The caulk had given up, water got in and wet pollen sub STINKS. I cleaned it up and redid with silicone a couple of days ago. The elm isn't blooming yet.

camero7

· #9 · Jan 8, 2017

I only put it out because we're in a severe drought and I wasn't sure that there was good pollen out there. Nevertheless the bees ignored it. They never do in the spring.

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 8, 2017

Do they take it in the spring at all?

camero7

· #11 · Jan 14, 2017

Mine are all over it in the spring.

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 17, 2017

Mine are now. (my spring comes a wee bit earlier)

camero7

· #13 · Jan 19, 2017

Spring is a distant hope here

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 19, 2017

I planted onions, broccoli and swiss chard seed last weekend.

camero7

· #15 · Jan 19, 2017

Ground is frozen here. But I wouldn't like your summers

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 19, 2017

I don't like my summers

Wil

· #17 · Mar 4, 2022

Here in Ohio,it is still pretty cold but warmer days are trending in the next couple of weeks. Is it still to early to put out a pollen feeder for the bees or should I wait until the warmer weather is more steady and predictable ?

Gypsi

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 4, 2022

If you have a feeder that protects it from moisture I'd put it out on a sunny day and see if they go to it.

Wil

· #19 · Mar 4, 2022

Gypsi said:
If you have a feeder that protects it from moisture I'd put it out on a sunny day and see if they go to it.

Yep. After going back to the top of this topic,I see that my Pollen feeder is just like yours. A friend made it for me for a Christmas gift.

Rick_Bee

· #20 · Mar 4, 2022

How far off are your 60° days without any freezing overnight?
I think I would try to gauge pollen patty application for ~30 days prior to that time.
Once pollen is applied population should be monitored regularly to avoid overcrowding.
Have frames and boxes ready for if/when the population jumps.

A weak colony I would already have a patty on (I do). Bee careful some colonies are just slow starters! :^)

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