pollen substitute

[jgiles]

can pollen substitute be made with spent brewers yeast such as the one sold at http://www.barryfarm.com/dietary_supplements.htm
Does anyone know of a reliable affordable source for natural pollen?

[BMAC]

The mostt reliable affordable natural pollen I found is directly from my pollen traps when I run them.

[jgiles]

While I realize that that is the best source, I do not have my own pollen to feed in the early spring.  I would like to feed pollen patties in hopes of an early spring buildup to produce strong hives to cope with hive beetle problems in my area.

[BMAC]

While I have not heard of any particularly bad sources for pollen, I know Drapers in Auburn NE is an excellent source of good pollen.  However their pollen has been cleaned and ready for beeks to resell for human consumption.  Maybe worth calling them to ask.

[Tucker1]

Is it too early to give the bee's pollen pads in Eastern Washington ?

Regards,
Tucker1

[BMAC]

I would think if its warm enough to peak in your colonies, its definately warm enough to give them some patties.

[Denny]

Howdy folks,.....my first post here.  :)

I've been thinking about pollen substitute these days, too. I managed to trap some pollen from my bees this past season, and have it in the freezer right now. I'm going to mix it in with Mega Bee and Feed Grade Brewer's yeast combined and use mostly my own honey as the liquid portion , maybe with a touch of Honey Bee Healthy.

The problem with using an unknown source of pollen is the danger of there being traces of disease such as AFB or EFB in it. I think the only way to guarantee disease free pollen from an unknown source would be the use of irradiation, such as done by Global Patties with the pollen in their 4% and 15% patties.

The bees really jump on it when there's some real pollen in the mix, and it's a great brood building stimulant for the bees here in southern Vt. I'll start feeding the patties in mid to late feb. to help them build up for the spring flows,.....especially the Black Locust in May.

[rdy-b]

 disease isn't the big concern it is PESTICIDE contamination- 8-) RDY-B

[Beaver Dam]

I've been feeding syrup and mega bee for about 10 days now. Heavy. Bees seem to love the dry mega bee. I have been open feeding. Looked inside of a few hives last Sat and saw no new brood. Will look again this Sat. Cold weather coming back to North Central Texas tomorrow night. Hate that. I'm wanting to play with my bees.

[Tucker1]

Beaver Dam:  I miss playing with'em too.  I can watch them easily for an hour and I always come away relaxed.  Miss the girls. Spring won't come soon enough.

Regards,
Tucker1