I have been using the screened bottom board without the insert in this warm weather. I have found quite a pile of pollen (and other droppings) under the screen. Could this pollen be frozen and saved for next spring?
Quote from: Judy FreyI have been using the screened bottom board without the insert in this warm weather. I have found quite a pile of pollen (and other droppings) under the screen. Could this pollen be frozen and saved for next spring?
You can dry it in the sun and store it in dry place or in plastic bag tightly. But there cant be moisture in the bag, be sure.
Quote from: Judy FreyI have found quite a pile of pollen (and other droppings) under the screen.
BUT it would be a danger of diseases because bees keep clean their comps and all rubbish/dirt is with pollen. Bee is not a pig! It is very sensitive for diseases.
Just getting rid of it may be the right thing. Seemed a waste to just brush it off.
Judy:
I too would toss it. I get about a 1/2 a pound of pollen on my cars throughout the year and I keep the cars very clean, still I would not scrap the pollen and save it - I've never found the bees to overly want pollen they have NOT collected themselves - although others have had better success at introducing pollen.
Of course the bees DID collect the pollen you are speaking of, but there is a lot of crap at the bottom of the hive boxes and it just may be a waste of time for the young workers (who would most likely be gathering this pollen up) if placed back in the hive - they have plenty of other duties to do right up until late Fall.