AP23 Pollen Patty 1 lb
High-protein pollen substitute patty. Stimulates brood rearing in early spring before natural pollen is available.
- High-protein formula stimulates brood rearing when natural pollen is scarce
- Place directly on top of frames — bees consume it from below
- Especially valuable in early spring or during late summer dearths
What it is
A one-pound pollen substitute patty from Dadant & Sons — AP23 is Dadant's proprietary protein blend formulated to supplement natural pollen during dearths or buildup periods. Hamilton, Illinois family-owned, over a century of continuous operation.
When to use pollen patties
Two windows matter in Arkansas: early spring (late January through March) when the queen is ramping up brood but natural pollen is still sparse, and late fall (September–October) when you want colonies to raise strong winter bees but summer pollen sources have dried up.
How it works
A patty goes directly on top of the frames in the brood nest, between the top bars of the upper brood box and the inner cover. Bees cluster on it, chew it apart, and feed it to nurse bees, who feed it to larvae as a protein source. One pound lasts a strong colony 2–3 weeks; a weaker colony can take a month to finish.
Usage notes
Only feed patties when the colony has brood — no brood means no protein demand, and an untouched patty just grows small hive beetles or wax moths. Remove any uneaten patty after 3 weeks. Don't freeze patties long-term; the fats oxidize and bees reject them.
Storage
Sealed in the bag, at room temperature, for the duration of one season. Once opened, feed within a month.
