How to Make a Pollen Substitute

A pollen substitute provides similar nutrients to natural pollen.

Pollens provide the best nutrients for bees, having the right combination of proteins, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. However, sometimes the pollen supply drops or the weather makes it impossible for the bees to go out looking for pollens. In such a time, the bees can survive on a pollen substitute, but they will not produce much brood. Brewer's yeast can act as a pollen substitute because it resembles pollens in nutritional value and is economical.

Things You'll Need

• 1 ounce brewer's yeast
• 6 ounces soybean flour
• 5 1/2 ounces water
• 10 1/2 ounces sugar
• Containers
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Mix the brewer's yeast and soybean flour in a container.

2. Mix the water and sugar in another container.

3. Pour the sugar solution into the brewer's yeast and flour mix slowly and mix thoroughly. You should get a dough-like mixture with a consistency that is similar to peanut butter.

4. Separate a half to one pound of the mixture.

5. Lay one sheet of wax paper on an even surface, place the pollen substitute on it and lay another sheet of wax paper on the pollen substitute. The wax paper will retain moisture in the pollen substitute cake to make it more attractive to bees.

6. Press on the top sheet of wax paper until the dough substitute has a thickness of 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

7. Cut the wax paper to match the shape of the patty. Place the pollen substitute so that it is in contact with the bees, close to the brood.

Tips & Warnings

• Bees don't usually find pollen substitutes attractive, so place the pollen substitute so that it is in contact with the bees, close to the brood.

• Change the pollen substitute cake every seven to 10 days, before the bees finish consuming the previous cake.

References

• MAAREC: Feeding Honey Bees
• UC Davis Department of Entomology: Feeding Bees Pollen Substitutes