« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Pollen Plugs Frames  (Read 2800 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Pollen Plugs Frames
« on: February 07, 2018, 01:04:09 pm »
That would be Pollen Plugged Frames. We have an unseasonally early spring. The bees are giddy with bringing in a ton of pollen and plugging up the frames. I remember going thru this about 4 years ago. The problem is, is that the bees will not remove the pollen, ever, so the queen quickly runs out of room. In our neck of the woods, swarm season is coming early.

In the mean time, we beekeepers are stuck with many frames and all that drawn wax, that isn't of any use when plugged up.

How do we get the bees to remove that pollen? Or, would you take the time to dig out each cell? that would be a laborious job!
Logged
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline tedh

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1346
  • Thanked: 65 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Henry County, Iowa
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2018, 02:35:07 pm »
Mist frames with water, place in warm dark area, let mold grow, place back in hive for bees to clean up?  Seems I've heard that in the past.  Ted
Logged
Share that which you have an abundance of.  In doing so both the giver and receiver are enriched.

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2018, 02:45:38 pm »
Brilliant Ted! I also remember 4 years ago that Apis said that the pollen needs to be contaminated, then the bees will get it out of there. We decided on spraying with vinegar, which won't hurt the bees, and the bees will then get it out of the cells and dispose of it. That worked great! but it does take some time, and I will eventually get the good wax back.

Also, I was asking to see what other options there might.
Logged
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline apisbees

  • Global Moderator
  • Gold Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3723
  • Thanked: 331 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Vernon B.C.
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2018, 04:13:46 pm »
Pollen traps on the hive and collect some of that surplus pollen
Logged
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.

Offline Mikey N.C.

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1393
  • Thanked: 76 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Cameron N.C.
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2018, 04:54:30 pm »
If i had some extra drawn comb frames,  pull and replace. Save when needed if then the bees don't want it , I think they'll clean it out ?
Logged

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2018, 07:41:16 pm »
Hey Apis, I was thinking about pollen traps just yesterday. Can I buy these thru Dadant, or Mann?

Never used them before
Logged
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline Some Day

  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 196
  • Thanked: 18 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Iowa
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2018, 08:10:42 pm »
Logged

Offline Some Day

  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 196
  • Thanked: 18 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Iowa
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2018, 08:12:39 pm »
Logged

Offline Bakersdozen

  • Global Moderator
  • Gold Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 4520
  • Thanked: 483 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Olathe, Kansas
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2018, 05:52:38 am »
I recommend Sundance.
In the meantime I would do as Mikey has suggested.  As soon as a strong nectar flow starts they will start drawing out new comb.
Logged

Offline rober

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1174
  • Thanked: 71 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: arnold, mo
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2018, 09:30:44 am »
this one looks interesting
Logged

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2018, 12:24:03 pm »
Mikey, that's the problem right there, I have no extra drawn comb. A couple of years ago a rat got into my bee shed and destroyed all of my stored comb. Last year my hives didn't build up that quickly. So I did take four of the frames out and replaced with new foundation, it's going to take all spring for those to get drawn out. 
Logged
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline apisbees

  • Global Moderator
  • Gold Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 3723
  • Thanked: 331 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Vernon B.C.
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2018, 01:11:52 pm »
Quote from: rober on February 08, 2018, 09:30:44 am
this one looks interesting

Notice that the hives are under a roofed area. If the hives are not protected from the rain, it will get into the pollen and ruin it. Cause any rainfall would enter the pollen tray. 
Logged
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.

Offline rober

  • Gold Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1174
  • Thanked: 71 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: arnold, mo
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2018, 04:15:18 pm »
so I see. so apis-if you were to go with something like the sundance would you prefer the bottom board model or the top mount?
Logged

Offline Jen

  • Platinum Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10175
  • Thanked: 240 times
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: Upper California
Re: Pollen Plugs Frames
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2018, 11:10:29 pm »
Here's a bottom mount Sundance II pollen trap

Logged
There Is Peace In The Queendom
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »