Hi,
I'd like to ask about pollen substitutes, I have 2 colonies that have over wintered well (so far) and both hives still have plenty of capped honey. With the mild weather the bees are flying and bringing in pollen, I assumed there must be brood present and thought they might need a little help so last week I gave both hives 0.5kg of Candipoline, one colony has taken some but not much whereas the other colony has taken it all and now I'm not sure what to do next.
Candipoline is expensive but I'm a hobby beekeeper and not concerned about the cost and I'm happy to carry on using it but firstly I'd like to know if its actually a suitable pollen substitute or is there a better alternative and secondly do I carry on feeding it as long as the bees want it or do I run the risk of crowding out the queen?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I'd like to ask about pollen substitutes, I have 2 colonies that have over wintered well (so far) and both hives still have plenty of capped honey. With the mild weather the bees are flying and bringing in pollen, I assumed there must be brood present and thought they might need a little help so last week I gave both hives 0.5kg of Candipoline, one colony has taken some but not much whereas the other colony has taken it all and now I'm not sure what to do next.
Candipoline is expensive but I'm a hobby beekeeper and not concerned about the cost and I'm happy to carry on using it but firstly I'd like to know if its actually a suitable pollen substitute or is there a better alternative and secondly do I carry on feeding it as long as the bees want it or do I run the risk of crowding out the queen?
Thanks in advance for any replies.