Feeding & Seasonal Care
Pollen Patty
Protein for brood rearing when forage is thin.
Nectar is energy; pollen is protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. A colony rearing brood needs a continuous pollen supply, and in early spring or after a dearth there may be none available outside.
A pollen patty supplies that protein directly. Commercial patties use soy or yeast-based substitutes; home mixes combine pollen substitute with syrup to a dough consistency. They are laid on the top bars above the brood nest, where the colony can reach them and the warmth keeps them workable.
At a glance
Safety
Patties are attractive to small hive beetle and wax moth, and an uneaten patty becomes a breeding site. Feed only what the colony will clear in a week or two, and remove leftovers before they spoil.
Using it well
- Feed patties only when bees can fly. A colony that cannot make cleansing flights will not process them.
- Keep patties directly above the cluster so the heat reaches them.
- Start small. A patty that sits for a month is a pest farm, not a food source.
- Never use patties as a substitute for fixing the underlying problem — a colony with no foragers needs requeening, not protein.
Compatibility
Hive types
- Langstroth
- Flow
Bees
European honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Educational reference only. Hive & Honey sells no equipment and takes no sponsorship. Specifications here describe typical products in this category; check the actual figures for the item you own or intend to buy. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local regulations.