I think I am confused

[JackM]

Ok, my packages will be due in March or April.  I still am unclear on feeding.

Sugar syrup, as much as they want.  Got it.  But

I see all the threads with talk of buildup in the spring and the nursery's need for pollen.

I think by the time I get my packages the majority of the tree pollens will be gone and we will just have flowers.

So do I want to feed a pollen substitute too?  If so, any recommendations that don't attract vermin?

[Robo]

Chances are there will be natural pollen available and they will ignore and substitute you provide.

[Kathyp]

jack, we should not have a pollen problem in April.  there will be lots of stuff just starting to bloom, not the least of which is the dandelion. if you are really concerned, grab a small bag of pollen mix stuff at Ruhl when you get your bees.  either mix it, or depending on what you get, fed it dry.  ask them about it and they'll be able to help you out.

i only use pollen patties in Feb.  and only because the weather can be so bad that they don't get out for days at a time.  by april, i don't use it anymore because they are out and there is plenty for them.

[AliciaH]

A small correction on the syrup...watch the "as much as they want" part.  Some hives continue taking the syrup even after the nectar starts flowing.  Research previous posts on queens becoming nectar bound so the thought triggers if you see brood space dwindling.

Been there, done that, bye bye bees!   :'(

[backyard warrior]

give them plenty of room above the brood nest with honey supers preferably undrawn foundation. Keep feeding them since they have undrawn comb in the honey supers they will want to draw comb out and store the syrup above the brood nest and if they have all that syrup they will draw out comb to do just that or you can let them make wax with the nectar or you can let them make wax with syrup. Syrup is cheaper then honey, i prefer to give them both so they have more than enuff to draw out those supers, just remember all that honey in the supers is sugar honey not nectar honey you can feed it back to the bees by allowing them to rob it out by putting it on top of the inner cover with a hive body to cover the super and install the hive top cover to prevent a robbing frenzy in your apairy  or you can extract it and feed it that way.II personally like to save the supers full of honey for the fall to put on top of hives low on store but thats up to you,  remember only one super of undrawn foundation until its almost all drawn out before you add another super or they wont complete the super they will just go up and you will have lots of undrawn foundation, plus keep an eye on your brood nest look for backfilling and swarm cells.  In the spring you should see the center of your frames full of brood and just the outer rim of the frame honey and pollen  if you see them closing in towards the center and backfilling brood cells you know you are going to have a problem  Chris

[backyard warrior]

You can also just let them store the honey and after the main nectar flow extract the honey and give them undraw foundation and then feed  sugar syrup to draw out honey supers that way you will get some natural honey you can eat the first year you have them like most want to do everyone wants to try their honey its a newbee thing, its up to you . From what experts say that the sugar honey causes less problems then necatar honey when it comes to  over wintering hives in the north due to dysentery. have fun Chris

[CapnChkn]

Bees collect pollen from all kinds of sources.  I think they would be just fine unless there's a huge dry spell.  Last summer we had a 3 month period without a drop of rain, and the bees were jonesing.  When I put some pollen sub on them they crawled to it like puppy dogs getting a treat.

It's been 16°F (-9°C) 2 days in a row here.  We've had frosts and freezes throughout Nov, and Dec, but for us the first week or two of January is when we get the coldest snaps.  The bees, ever resourceful, have brought in pollen all winter, every day they've had a chance to fly.  Today they had a chance to get out, and I saw them bringing it in again.  Something a bright Red-orange.

[backyard warrior]

Another thought dont feed syrup in freezing temps feed fondant  due to moisture problems  chris