Is pollen trapping profitable for any of you?

Smertrios · July 26, 2015, 02:50:08 PM

Trapping seems easy *but* the management I have read says to trap for a few days then stop. The front mounted traps look like they could be modified so that some of the trapped pollen ends up on the wrong side of the trap screen so the bees always get some. Or have a few of the #5 mesh holes enlarged to allow for easier passage depending on where the bee lands.

sc-bee · July 26, 2015, 04:37:00 PM

I wager you are not going to get many replies to this thread. I have asked the same question or similar a couple times. As far as management of the trap, the best is suppose to be a Sundance. And instructions say it does not collect all the pollen so you can leave it on for an extended period.

Eric Bosworth · July 26, 2015, 08:53:22 PM

I am not sure it would be all that profitable to sell but I saw a video with Michael Palmer and he said he uses the pollen for queen rearing. When he grafts he takes a frame of empty comb and fills it with pollen and puts it in with the grafts. So depending on your purpose for collection it might be worth your while.

sc-bee · July 26, 2015, 11:00:46 PM

Actually for some it is very profitable to sell. I guess like anything else you have to build a market. Most get at least a $1 an oz some get significantly more.

http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/shop/hive-products/bee-pollen

http://georgiabees.blogspot.com/search/label/Bee%20Pollen%20Sales

sc-bee · July 26, 2015, 11:12:41 PM

Here is one of very few threads I think you will be able to find:

http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=46604.msg403621#msg403621

Smertrios · July 27, 2015, 02:02:23 AM

Thanks for the links! I misused the search option it seems to work a bit different from most forums. How important is variety to pollen quality? I still want to believe that phacelia tanacetifolia is *the* bee plant with upto 1600 pounds of honey and over 1000 pounds of pollen per acre (as absolute maximums). Thing about phacelia is that is can be succession planted to keep flowers in bloom it just needs 13 hours of daylight during the 4-6 weeks it blooms.

Michael Bush · July 27, 2015, 08:08:35 AM

I've never sold much, I mostly trap it to feed the bees in a failed fall flow so there will be plenty of young bees going into winter.

D Coates · July 27, 2015, 11:26:18 AM

I got back into it this year when enough of my honor stand customers asked for it. I charge $10 for 7oz. I've sold more 10 so far and the stand has only been open over 14 days. I've been pleasantly surprised. So much that it looks like I may have to buy more containers for it shortly. The Sundance pollen traps are muuuuuch better than the Dadant ones.

sc-bee · July 27, 2015, 06:26:22 PM

D I think I asked already and may have an old PM on it but how are you processing and storing the pollen? After you put it in a container does it go back in fridg? What kind of container do you use?

D Coates · July 28, 2015, 10:29:04 AM

All I'm doing is collecting the pollen daily and blowing the chafe off with a hair drier. I then set it on a cookie sheet a for a few days until it's dry. I then pour it into a 2 gallon zip-lock and put it in the freezer. Once I need it I put it in 1lb bottles with white caps http://www.betterbee.com/less-than-3lbs/phb1-plastic-honey-bottle-1lb.asp. I gently tap the bottle to get the pollen to settle and then over fill it so it's slightly over 7oz. I've got labels already made from my first foray in selling pollen wholesale so I use those. I know it tastes better fresh but that's not an option for me because of how I go to market.

sc-bee · July 28, 2015, 02:06:13 PM

Thanks for the info.

And that sounds fresh to me :)

Smertrios · July 28, 2015, 05:18:13 PM

I bought 4 bottles of pollen on eBay many years ago then never used it. Was just yesterday I opened one and could see the webbing and dead moths! The other 3 bottles look fine with the exception of being rather old... Does freezing prevent moths and beetles?

sc-bee · July 28, 2015, 11:38:15 PM

yes and a frost free freezer also takes some moisture out. You place it in the freezer but in an open container.

D Coates · July 29, 2015, 12:36:11 PM

Quote from: sc-bee on July 28, 2015, 11:38:15 PM
yes and a frost free freezer also takes some moisture out. You place it in the freezer but in an open container.

I put mine in the freezer to kill any insect eggs. Don't leave the container open when you pull it out of the freezer as moisture will condense on the granules and cause trouble. That's why mine is stored in Ziploc bags. If you're going to fill containers make sure the pollen has been taken out and allowed to get to room temp before opening the bag. If you fill jars with it still cold moisture can be introduce. It can also cause condensation on the bottle that can cause label troubles (wrinkling, ink run, poor adhesion, etc.) These are hard learned lessons that a little attention to detail can overcome.

JP · July 29, 2015, 08:47:30 PM

Health food stores will likely buy all you can give them!

I always keep it in the freezer to preserve freshness.

I put it in smoothies, sometimes a little bit in oatmeal with a touch of honey & peanut butter.

...JP

GaryMinckler · July 29, 2015, 08:53:30 PM

JP.. is it a sweetner? BTW, love your videos...watched hours of them! I love catching swarms too!!! Caught 3 so far off the same exact branch of an Apple tree, from the ground.

sc-bee · July 30, 2015, 05:41:04 AM

Quote from: D Coates on July 29, 2015, 12:36:11 PM
Quote from: sc-bee on July 28, 2015, 11:38:15 PM
yes and a frost free freezer also takes some moisture out. You place it in the freezer but in an open container.

I put mine in the freezer to kill any insect eggs. Don't leave the container open when you pull it out of the freezer as moisture will condense on the granules and cause trouble. That's why mine is stored in Ziploc bags. If you're going to fill containers make sure the pollen has been taken out and allowed to get to room temp before opening the bag. If you fill jars with it still cold moisture can be introduce. It can also cause condensation on the bottle that can cause label troubles (wrinkling, ink run, poor adhesion, etc.) These are hard learned lessons that a little attention to detail can overcome.

Thanks for this additional information on hard learned lessons....