Honey bee colonies require consistent access to protein, typically supplied by natural pollen, to support their growth and reproduction. Pollen patties are a supplementary food source used by beekeepers to provide this protein when natural forage is scarce. These dough-like supplements promote brood production and strengthen the colony outside of the main flowering seasons. Providing the supplement at the correct time ensures the nutritional boost aligns with the colony’s natural cycle and environmental conditions.
The Role of Supplemental Nutrition in Colony Health
Honey bees meet their nutritional needs for energy and growth with carbohydrates and protein, respectively. Carbohydrates, derived from nectar or honey, fuel adult bees, powering flight and internal hive processes. Protein, sourced from pollen, is the building block for growth, especially for developing larvae.
Nurse bees consume pollen or the substitute to develop their hypopharyngeal glands, which produce the protein-rich royal jelly fed to young larvae. This protein is directly linked to the queen’s egg-laying rate, and supplements stimulate a rapid increase in developing brood. Protein patties provide necessary amino acids, lipids, and vitamins when natural sources are unavailable, ensuring the next generation of bees is healthy.
Key Seasonal Timings for Feeding Patties
The most frequent time for feeding pollen patties is during the late winter or early spring buildup. This supplement, offered two to three weeks before the first natural pollen flow, helps the colony accelerate brood production. The goal is to build a large population of foraging bees in time for the main nectar flow, maximizing honey collection. This early stimulation must be managed carefully, as a population explosion too early can increase the risk of swarming later in the spring.
Another beneficial period is in the late summer or fall, approximately six to eight weeks before the first hard freeze. This late-season feeding ensures the production of “winter bees,” which have high internal fat bodies. These fat bodies store protein and nutrients, allowing these long-lived bees to survive the winter cluster and begin rearing the first cycle of spring brood. In regions prone to prolonged summer drought, a mid-summer feeding may be necessary to counteract a natural pollen dearth. When hot, dry conditions cause local flora to stop producing pollen, supplemental patties prevent the colony’s brood production from stalling.
Indicators That Signal Immediate Need
While seasonal schedules offer a general guide, the need for supplemental feeding is best determined by a real-time assessment of the hive’s internal condition. A primary indicator is the visual inspection of the frames for stored natural pollen, often called bee bread. If a colony has less than half a deep frame’s worth of stored pollen, a protein substitute is likely needed. The color diversity of stored pollen is also a telling sign; a mix of colors indicates a varied diet, while a single color suggests a nutritional deficiency.
Beekeepers should also look for signs of poor brood health, which signal a protein shortage. A spotty or inconsistent brood pattern indicates that nurse bees are not receiving enough protein to produce sufficient royal jelly for all the larvae. In extreme deficiency cases, the colony may resort to cannibalizing larvae to recycle limited nutrients. Environmental factors, such as prolonged cold or rain that prevent foraging, can create an immediate need for a patty. Weak or struggling colonies behind in population growth will benefit from supplemental protein sooner than strong hives.
Proper Placement and Management
The placement of the pollen patty inside the hive is important to ensure efficient consumption. The patty must be positioned directly over the brood nest, typically on the top bars of the frames where the bees are clustered. This location ensures that nurse bees, the primary consumers, have immediate access to the protein without leaving the warmth of the cluster. If the patty is placed too far from the active brood, the bees will often ignore it, especially during cooler temperatures.
The portion size should match the colony’s consumption rate, typically using smaller patties of about a half-pound to one pound. The goal is for the bees to consume the entire patty within seven to ten days. Unconsumed, moist patties left in the hive can become a breeding ground for pests, such as the Small Hive Beetle. Beekeepers must monitor consumption and promptly remove any old, molded, or uneaten portions to maintain hive hygiene and prevent pest issues.