Pollen

DrKurtG · March 21, 2008, 01:51:29 PM

Today, in southwestern Virginia, the sun is finally out and the wind is calm. The bees are very active; flying in and out of the hive in large numbers. I noticed for the first time that some had a light yellow pollen on their legs. I placed a pollen patty in the hive about a week ago. Should I no longer replenish when they have depleted the patty?

reinbeau · March 21, 2008, 01:56:26 PM

If they have pollen for haulin' I'd not bother with the patties anymore.

CBEE · March 22, 2008, 10:54:30 AM

My bees are draggin in pollen like mad right now every day the temp is above 45. The other day it was raining and and they were bringing it in even though it was coming down pretty good. If they have pollen to bring in I doubt they will touch your patty and I think you may be wasting your time and hard earned sawbucks. I think I would worry more about how much honey stores they have left as they may have pollen but no nectar right now. I popped the top off mine yesterday as it was about 60 deg and they still have several frames of honey left. Have you checked ? What are your average daytime temps right now ?

DrKurtG · March 22, 2008, 10:59:55 AM

Yes, we checked the other day and I have frames full of honey, brood, and pollen. I am also still feeding them the 1:1 sugar syrup and they are downing that like crazy. It's so hard to say what the average temp in southwestern Virginia is at the moment because the swings are so drastic. But if I had to make a guess, I'd say probably averaging around 45 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit. We tend to be in the mid 30's at night and the mid 50's during the day. But that, in itself, is beginning to change as Spring gets a leg up on Winter.

JP · March 22, 2008, 11:12:05 AM

Quote from: DrKurtG on March 22, 2008, 10:59:55 AM
Yes, we checked the other day and I have frames full of honey, brood, and pollen. I am also still feeding them the 1:1 sugar syrup and they are downing that like crazy. It's so hard to say what the average temp in southwestern Virginia is at the moment because the swings are so drastic. But if I had to make a guess, I'd say probably averaging around 45 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit. We tend to be in the mid 30's at night and the mid 50's during the day. But that, in itself, is beginning to change as Spring gets a leg up on Winter.

I wouldn't let them have the syrup at night in 30f temps, you don't want them getting chilled, and that syrup could make it humid inside the hive. Feed in daytime if you have no nectar available, heat syrup up, to 90f, they will thank you for it.

...JP

DrKurtG · March 22, 2008, 01:45:36 PM

Thank you JP.

JP · March 22, 2008, 01:46:59 PM

Quote from: DrKurtG on March 22, 2008, 01:45:36 PM
Thank you JP.

No problem, brother! ;)

...JP