Hello everyone,
I just purchased 10 "Brood Patties" from dadant and sons. I am sorry if this question sounds stupid but I really need to know. The patties have a wax paper on both sides. When I put the "Brood Patties in the hives do I take one side of the wax paper off? So they can get to it? or do I put it in just the way it is?
I am going to put the patties on tomorrow afternoon. Its suppose to warm up to about 57 degrees.
:bee:
Put them in the way they are.
Yes, leave them as they are..I did patties the 1st time this spring & took 1 side off & it got all gooey, not good! J
I use my hive tool and poke some more holes in the paper, if the paper has any premade holes.
I haven't seen the brood patties, but the global patties have holes in one side. That side goes down, next to the frames. Check closely, they are hard to see, but I would think the brood patties would have them, too. If not, I would do like ski, and make some.
Thanks everyone for the tips.
:-D
I would cut a small long triangle and peal the paper away to expose some of the patty.
I usually order a forty pound box at a time and they used to come with a box knife and instructions to cut slits in the paper. If your wax paper does not have holes in it I would suggest that you at least use your hive tool to make some slits in the paper so the bees can get to the pattie.
I had several "left over" patties from the other year. I had kept them in the fridge over the winter and they became as hard as a brick. Before I fed them to the girls, I peeled off the wax paper using hot running water and then soaked them in a plastic bag over night. The next day, the outer coat of the patties was a little slimy, but the rest of the patty was still firm. I fed them to the girls and they were gone in a week. I was surprised how quickly they were gone. They must of been ready for them .........
Regards,
Tucker