can you collect pollen during a dearth.... I guess that is a stupid question.......
That depends on how much they want to rear brood (varies by race) and how much pollen is available vs nectar. There are a lot of plants that are wind pollinated that the bees will collect pollen from that don't make nectar.
Don't mow you yard and the bees will collect the pollen from your grass when nothing else is blooming. (I like to use this excuse when too hot to mow :-D).
Yes, we are in a dearth now and I am seeing the girls bring in pollen.
I notice on our weather report it lists pollen levels for trees and grasses so those are producing pollen without necessarily producing any nectar.
LD
"Can you collect pollen during a dearth" is not a stupid question. They always seem to find/bring back pollen into the hive. You can certainly give it a try.
...JP
My question is how long can you leave the trap on the hive without hurting the bees? 1, 2, 3, 4..... weeks?