Very Late Pollen

[Donovan J]

I was watching the beehives yesterday and one of the hives had bees going in and out bringing in pollen. Where are they getting it? Theres no flowers on my property anywhere. Also it's going to be 50? tomorrow with a low of 40?. Should I be able to slip some syrup in the hives? The lows wont drop below 40? the whole week.

[Michael Bush]

There may be some pollen in some dead flowers.  It may not be pollen.  It could be sawdust or grain dust.

[Donovan J]

There may be some pollen in some dead flowers.  It may not be pollen.  It could be sawdust or grain dust.

Ah I see. How would they benefit from sawdust?

[paus]

I have watched bees work cattle feed all winter, especially if it had Cotton Seed Meal in it.  There may be other sources such as chicken feed,

[Ben Framed]

I have watched bees work cattle feed all winter, especially if it had Cotton Seed Meal in it.  There may be other sources such as chicken feed,

Yes Sir, and chops.  (chopped corn) the dust from it.  Just another reason, in my area, I keep Ultra Bee available via open feeding. This worked well for me last winter.  I do not know what the books say, but I have noticed when the temperature is 43f or above, the bees work  it.
Phillip

[Michael Bush]

> How would they benefit from sawdust?

They don't.  But when nothing better is available they will gather any kind of dust.

[Nock]

I saw a few dandelions bloomed at work last week. Probably corn or some other feed.

[Donovan J]

> How would they benefit from sawdust?

They don't.  But when nothing better is available they will gather any kind of dust.

Ok I see. I plan on making some dry pollen substitute and putting it out for open feeding.

[BeeMaster2]

There may be some pollen in some dead flowers.  It may not be pollen.  It could be sawdust or grain dust.

Ah I see. How would they benefit from sawdust?

I just feed them.
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