Pollen patties provide supplemental protein to colonies during pollen dearths or spring buildup. In dry or hot conditions, patties exposed to air harden within days, becoming unpalatable and largely inaccessible to bees.

Pollen patties drying out

Mix a humectant into your pollen patty recipe to attract and retain moisture, keeping patties soft and palatable for 2-3 times longer than untreated patties.

🛠️ Food-grade glycerin or honey, mixing bowl, scale

Feed smaller patty portions more frequently

4

Offer patties in 100-200 g (4-7 oz) portions sized to match your colony's consumption rate, replacing them every 3-5 days. Smaller portions are consumed before they have time to dry out and harden.

🛠️ None

Place patties directly on the top bars near the brood nest

4

Position pollen patties flat on the top bars directly above the brood nest, between the inner cover and the frames. This location exposes patties to the warm, humid microclimate maintained by the bee cluster, significantly slowing moisture loss.

🛠️ None

Pollen patties drying out

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