Reusing pollen from frames

[Lancej]

I have relocate some hives to a site in melbourne, looks like the bees are on a flow again. Did a quick look in a few hives and some are short on room because they have back filed with pollen. Does anyone remove the pollen from the frames for use at a later date and if so how. Thanks.

[Andersonhoney]

Have they filled the bottom box with pollen, and moved the brood into the second box?
If so be ready for a great spring.
Let me know if you figure out a way to get the pollen out. I've pulled it out with a grafting tool for my own use. There is more good bits in it rather than fresh pollen (but that's a different post altogether).

[Lancej]

I was a bit slow moving the bees this season and the cold had set in by the time I did. Some of the queens had stopped laying and the rest slowed right down. Little or no brood to feed so they are filling the brood areas. It's meant to be warm this weekend so I will cycle a few frames and have play with the removed frames.

[BeeMaster2]

Lance,
If you really need to remove the pollen, take a hose to it using a nozzle to wash it out. It takes a bit to get it to come out but most of it will.
Jim

[Lancej]

Looks like I will be trying a few different things to see what works, thanks guys.

[Lancej]

Another beek freezes the frames with pollen, smashes them up and blows the wax away with compressed air.

[Andersonhoney]

Interesting technique. I might try that.

[Acebird]

Why is it necessary to do anything with pollen?  If the bees don't need it they will trash it, no?

[Lancej]

If they don't use it, it takes up space and I may have in some hives 4 or 5 frames all full of pollen. Less room, more chance of swarming in spring. Learnt my lesson last year when they swarmed in the first week of spring.

[Andersonhoney]

I just liked the freeze frame idea for personal consumption of pollen.
Surely Lance it's too cold up your way to do much about it now.

[Lancej]

Hi Vin, Everything is at sea level for the winter, hoping for a few warm days if I'm lucky.  Haven't tried bee pollen, how do you find it?

[Andersonhoney]

It's very good for your health. High protein,  lots of probiotics etc etc.
The flavors are amazing depending on what floral source. Some are very fruity others more like cheese.  I sound like a label on a bottle of wine, floral aromas with a fruity pallette and delicate cheesy after flavours. But we'll worth the experience.

[Lancej]

I will have to give it a go. Just hope I get the fruity flavors.