A lady at my Bee Club said we should be feeding pollen pattys ! Also she said hers are wearing it out....
My first thought was oh no. I am screwing up... but my 2nd was>>>>>
I am a 1st year Beek and have not feed any pollen and my Bees seem to be doing fine...
Am I messing up by not feeding a pollen substitute?
Will my Bee's die without a polled sub and will they benifeit?
I was thinking I might feed my a Pollen sub right before spring arrives. To help them build up faster.
If you feed in Feb. or Mar., your bees will be fine. If she feeds all winter, hers will swarm time after time.
YOU ARE CORRECT
And down your way pollen patties are a magnet for hive beetles. Feed when they will benefit from it.
We fed protein patties and syrup July thru October to get our bees fat and hives full of bees for this winter.
This will be a test to see how much if any better they grow and gather this spring.
Talk to Bud, he is up towards you. I leave plenty of honey for my bees and for I think this will be my fifth winter have not feed any pollen and very little sugar syrup. I usually feed approx. 1 to 2 gal. per hive per winter. Good luck to you and your bees.
Joe