Honeybees use pollen as a protein source to raise brood (baby bees). Forager bees typically collect pollen from flowering plants. Sometimes, beekeepers may need to help their hives by feeding them pollen substitute when natural pollen is not readily available. In fact, depending on the region, feeding bees pollen substitute is a necessity.
There are a few instances in which a beekeeper needs to add pollen substitute to their hive’s diet.
Nectar Dearth
Nectar dearth is a time when the availability of pollen and nectar is low. This typically occurs at the end of the summer when the number of flowering plants decreases. If your region is experiencing a nectar dearth, it may be time to help your hive so it can stay on schedule to produce enough honey to survive the winter.
Long, Cold Winter
Many beekeepers find that they need to assist their hives during the winter. If there is not enough honey stored in the hive, bees will starve before spring arrives. During routine inspections, you should always ensure that your hive has more than enough food.
New Hive
If you are a new beekeeper who just installed a package of bees, it’s wise to feed them so they can adjust to their new home. After they’ve been introduced to their hive, they will immediately begin adding brood, making wax combs, and storing honey. Challenges along the way can make it difficult for a new hive to properly prepare for its first winter. Feeding bees as soon as they arrive helps put the colony in the right direction.
When Should I Stop Feeding My Bees?
Honeybees don’t need pollen substitute all of the time. During your routine hive inspections, ensure that the hive population is increasing and honey is being produced. If you find that your bees are thriving, then don’t feed them. To learn about how to determine if your bees no longer need food, see our article: How Do You Know When To Stop Feeding Bees Sugar Water.
Want To Skip The Long Article?
If you’re in a rush or just don’t want to scroll through this whole article and all you want is a quick suggestion for the best pollen substitute, then this section is for you! After assessing countless pollen substitute products on the market, we found that the Mann Lake FD200 Pollen Substitute may be the best product for you!
Mann Lake FD200 Pollen Substitute is a high-quality bee feed from a trusted beekeeping company. The feed contains lipids, minerals, and B-Complex vitamins that honeybees need to feed their brood.
If the Mann Lake FD200 Pollen Substitute is not available, then our next best pick would be the Priddy Acres Sweet B Fondant.
What To Consider When Buying Pollen Substitute
There are many different pollen substitute products on the market so it can be hard to determine which one is best for your hive. Make sure to do your due diligence before feeding your bees just any substitute. consider the following:
Feed Type
Pollen substitutes come either be placed inside or outside of the hive. Choosing the appropriate type depends on your hive and your goals. There are pros and cons to each.
Dry
Dry pollen substitute typically comes in a powder form. This high-protein mix gives beekeepers more control on what they feed their honeybees. Many beekeepers will use dry pollen substitute to make pollen patties for their hives. The dry substance is stored outside of the hive in a bee feeder for bees to collect. Having the pollen outside reduces the chances of bee robbers attempting to come into your hive. Dry pollen substitute requires less work than patties because a beekeeper does not need to disturb the hive. However, sometimes bees will ignore the powder and choose not to collect it. Also, if bees from multiple hives start collecting powder from the same feeder, there is a risk of diseases spreading to your hive.
Patty
A pollen patty is a mix of dry pollen substitute, cane sugar, and water shaped to form a rectangular pancake. It’s a thick consistency that can be frozen and thawed for use as needed. Patties are placed directly in the hive so bees can eat it. Patties are the best way to ensure that bees will have protein to grow their colony. Because of its consistency, bees do not store pollen patties and it may attract hive beetles if left out for too long.
Liquid
Liquid pollen supplement is typically mixed with sugar syrup to provide nutrients and enhancements to the honeybee colony. Liquid pollen supplement maximizes nutrition intake and provides additional benefits beyond dry pollen or pollen patties.
Quality
Only purchase raw, unprocessed pollen substitute. Not all pollen substitute is created equal. Don’t opt for the cheapest bee feed. Pollen substitutes will have live enzymes- an important component to be pollen. Enzymes die at 118°F (48°C) so look for products that have not been processed with high heat. High-quality pollen substitute will be filled with vitamins and other good minerals for honeybees.
| Image | Brand | Package Size | Feed Type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Priddy Acres Sweet B Fondant | 5 Pounds | Patty | Comes in two flavors: Lemongrass or Peppermint Fondant texture that can be molded or broken apart Ideal for feeding bees during the winter No preservatives or additives Promotes hive health |
  | Mann Lake FD200 Bee-Pro Pollen Substitute Pail | 10 Pounds | Dry | Ideal for commercial beekeepers Ideal for building colonies in the early spring Formulated to supply honeybees with the lipids, minerals, and B-complex vitamins needed to produce feed brood |
  | Mann Lake FD374 Ultra Bee Patties | 10 Pounds | Patty | Ready-to-use Promotes hive health No soy or animal products |
  | Mann Lake FD213 Ultra Bee Dry Feed Canister | 1 Pound | Dry | Contains 65% crude protein No soy or animal by-products Ideal for hobbyist beekeepers |
  | Mann Lake FD357 Bee Pro Patties with Pro Health | 10 Pounds | Patty | Ready-to-use Contains Pro Health digestive aid Ideal for beekeepers looking for faster colony growth |
  | Bountiful Bee’s Brood Booster and Feeding Stimulant by Bee Healthy | 16, 32, 128 Ounces | Liquid | Feed enhancer for bees that can be added to sugar syrup Increases brood production Can be sprayed inside the hive to promote comb building |
  | HiveALive Bee Feed | 100 mL | Liquid | Feed enhancer for bees that can be added to sugar syrup Improves bee gut health and immune function Improves chances of survival the winter Can be added to pollen patties and fondant |
Priddy Acres Sweet B Fondant
The Priddy Acres Sweet B Fondant is a fondant for bees to feed on. It comes ready to use from the package. The pollen substitute has no preservatives or additives and cane sugar is the main ingredient. The substance does not contain high fructose corn syrup and contains a low amount of corn syrup. The product also contains essential oils that promote healthy and longevity. The two variations are lemongrass and peppermint. The fondant comes in a 5-pound package in 8 sheets that are 6×6 inches.
Details
- Comes in two flavors: Lemongrass or Peppermint
- Comes in a 5-pound package
- Fondant texture that can be molded or broken apart
- Ideal for feeding bees during the winter
- No preservatives or additives
- Promotes hive health
Who Makes It?
Priddy Acres is a small farm on the outskirts of Salem, Oregon. The company prides itself on selling all-natural products to people and bees. The owners give back to their community by are providing fresh, raw honey to their community. They keep their hives in their own backyard! Their feature product is their bee fondant, which they also call “bee candy”.
Mann Lake FD200 Bee-Pro Pollen Substitute Pail
Mann Lake FD200 Pollen Substitute is formulated for commercial beekeepers who need to feed their bees carbohydrates and protein when natural supply is low. The substance contains lipids, minerals, and B-Complex vitamins that honeybees need to feed their brood. The pollen substitute is delivered in a 10-pound pail that can easily be stored. The substance is natural and free from contaminants. The product can be fed to bees in its dry form in a feeder box or it can be made into pollen patties.
Details
- Ideal for commercial beekeepers
- Comes in a 10-pound pail
- Ideal for building colonies in the early spring
- Formulated to supply honeybees with the lipids, minerals, and B-complex vitamins needed to produce feed brood
Who Makes It?
Over the past 35 years, Mann Lake has gained a strong reputation for providing high-quality beekeeping supplies to all beekeepers- from hobbyists to professionals. They carry a comprehensive line of beekeeping equipment, tools, treatments, and more. Mann Lake is based in Minnesota and has grown so much, it opened a full-service facility in Texas and continues to serve customers in their retail store in Pennsylvania.
Mann Lake FD374 Ultra Bee Patties
Mann Lake FD374 Ultra Bee Patties are ready-to-use pollen patties that can be used right away. The patty is filled with vitamins, lipids, and minerals to encourage population growth in a hive. The patties have essential oils to promote hive health. The essential oil blend includes lemongrass and spearmint. The patty is available in 10-pound size that measures 12.25 x 10.5 inches. It’s a high-quality product that is free of soy and animal products
Details
- Ready-to-use pollen patties
- Comes in a 10-pound size
- Promotes hive health
- No soy or animal products
Who Makes It?
Over the past 35 years, Mann Lake has gained a strong reputation for providing high-quality beekeeping supplies to all beekeepers- from hobbyists to professionals. They carry a comprehensive line of beekeeping equipment, tools, treatments, and more. Mann Lake is based in Minnesota and has grown so much, it opened a full-service facility in Texas and continues to serve customers in their retail store in Pennsylvania.
Mann Lake FD213 Ultra Bee Dry Feed
Mann Lake FD213 Ultra Bee Dry Feed contains 65% crude protein. The powder is available in a one-pound canister. It’s intended to aid hives to increase brood production. The high-quality dry feed contains no soy or animal by-products. The product can be mixed with sugar and water to create pollen patties. It can also be placed in a feeder for bees to collect outside of the hive.
Details
- Dry pollen substitute
- Available in 1-pound canisters
- Contains 65% crude protein
- No soy or animal by-products
- Ideal for hobbyist beekeepers
Who Makes It?
Over the past 35 years, Mann Lake has gained a strong reputation for providing high-quality beekeeping supplies to all beekeepers- from hobbyists to professionals. They carry a comprehensive line of beekeeping equipment, tools, treatments, and more. Mann Lake is based in Minnesota and has grown so much, it opened a full-service facility in Texas and continues to serve customers in their retail store in Pennsylvania.
Mann Lake FD357 Bee Pro Patties with Pro Health
Mann Lake FD357 Bee Pro Patties take their conventional pollen patties to the next level. The substitute contains Pro Health, a digestive health aide that also encourages increased consumption of patties and medicated feeds. This bee feed encourages fast growth in the hive population. The patties are ready-to-go from the box. The patty is available in a 10-pound size that measures 12.25 x 10.5 inches.
Details
- Ready-to-use pollen patties
- Comes in a 10-pound size
- Contains Pro Health digestive aid
- Ideal for beekeepers looking for faster colony growth
Who Makes It?
Over the past 35 years, Mann Lake has gained a strong reputation for providing high-quality beekeeping supplies to all beekeepers- from hobbyists to professionals. They carry a comprehensive line of beekeeping equipment, tools, treatments, and more. Mann Lake is based in Minnesota and has grown so much, it opened a full-service facility in Texas and continues to serve customers in their retail store in Pennsylvania.
Bountiful Bee's Brood Booster and Feeding Stimulant
Bountiful Bees’ Brood Booster and Feeding Stimulant is made of all-natural, food-grade ingredients. The bee feed can be added to sugar syrup to promote hive growth. The product is easy to use and prevents syrup fermentation. It also aids in new queen acceptance. Beekeepers can also spray Brood Booster in the hive to encourage comb building. The bee feed comes in three sizes: 16, 32, and 128 ounces. The bottle makes it easy to measure and mix with sugar syrup.
Details
- Feed enhancer for bees that can be added to sugar syrup
- Increases brood production
- Can be sprayed inside the hive to promote comb building
- Available in three sizes: 16, 32, and 128 ounces.
Who Makes It?
Bountiful Bees offers products for all levels of beekeepers, from hobbyists to professionals. Their mission is to enhance the beekeeping experience by providing products that improve the health of honeybee colonies. -GMO
HiveALive Bee Feed by Advance Science
HiveAlive Bee Feed is a concentrate can be added to sugar syrup to improve a colony’s health. This product promotes hive health by improving gut health and immune function in honeybees. A healthy hive will survive over the winter and produce honey. The concentrate is a blend of seaweed extracts to increase productivity and overall health. The company recommends adding this product to your bee feedings in the fall and in the spring.
Details
- Feed enhancer for bees that can be added to sugar syrup
- Improves bee gut health and immune function
- Improves chances of survival the winter
- Can be added to pollen patties and fondant
Who Makes It?
Advance Science is a company that uses heavy, focused research to provide natural and practical solutions for different beekeeping problems. They work with bee experts to ensure that their solutions work in harmony with nature.
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