Feeding dry pollen substitute can be beneficial during the winter months, however, it is not as critical as feeding pollen patties. To feed dry pollen powder, you must place the powder outdoors, ideally at least 20 feet from your hive....
This article breaks down how much and when to feed pollen patties, how to avoid Small Hive Beetles, and what to do if your bees aren’t eating them—covering the essentials for effective protein feeding.
By: James Elam You’ve probably heard the idiom “just chicken feed” referring to a small amount of something. You also might have heard the saying “just peanuts” with literally the same meaning. Do honey bees feed on or collect either...
The pollination of almonds in California is the single largest pollination event in the world. About 90% of the USA's almonds come from CA, and almost 80% of the world's almonds come from CA. It is the only place they...
It almost doesn’t make sense. Everything is beautiful and green… ponds are full…how could we be entering DEARTH? It actually happens even with adequate rain. What is dearth? According to the dictionary: A scarcity or lack of something – In a...
By: Blake Shook A starving hive can take on many symptoms and can occur at many points throughout the year. Thus, it is important to be able to identify the symptoms. The most common conditions which can lead to this...
Have you ever wondered where your bees forage? Me too! Did you know your honey “tells the story”? Turns out a LOT of beekeepers send honey samples to Texas A & M University for pollen testing! Full disclosure – we’ve...
Bees need protein just as much as they need carbs, and natural pollen isn’t always available year-round. Feeding a quality pollen substitute helps fill nutritional gaps, support brood rearing, and keep hives healthier during times of poor pollen flow.
Do your bees really need pollen supplements? The answer depends on the season, your local forage, and what your colony needs to stay strong.
By Blake Shook You have most likely heard about California almond pollination. It's the single largest pollination event in the world, and financially, it's what keeps most commercial beekeeping businesses alive. Bees for pollination is also one of the greatest...
And the Answer is... Probably So! As we embark on what will no doubt be a long hot summer, supplementing pollen can accomplish three primary goals throughout the year: 1. Preventing nutritional deficits during pollen dearths. If you have a...
Small hive beetles can quickly become a problem, especially in the southern U.S. The key to preventing damage is feeding only as much pollen patty as your bees can consume in 7–10 days and monitoring beetle activity. Strong colonies usually keep SHBs under control, but weaker hives may need extra attention.
I'm sure you've wondered, Is all this feeding really that necessary? The answer: It kind of is! Feeding is one of the most critical elements to get right. Although populations will naturally decline due to the season, our bees are still raising baby bees needed to bring in a fall nectar flow.
Healthy winter bees are made in the fall. When natural pollen and nectar are limited, strategic feeding of both protein and carbohydrates helps colonies build strong winter populations with the food reserves they need to survive and thrive until spring.
