Collect pollen in the apiary: when and how to do it right

Beekeepers usually collect pollen at the beginning of the season. This unique plant component contains a record amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Bee pollen is used as protein feed for larvae, valued among people for its unique healing properties.

When collecting pollen in the apiary?

Bees collect pollen, to feed the larvae. Contains large amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals product promotes rapid growth and proper development of larvae. Therefore, pollen collection usually lasts from May to June.

Striped insects prefer to collect pollen from flowering plants, since it is more nutritious, than anemophilous plants (pines, alder, poplars and so on). Bees collect pollen grains from plants and attach them to their paws, therefore, they are also called foothills. At one time a bee can bring up 20 grams of this unique natural product.

The collection of cuttings occurs during the period of intensive flowering of plants. Dry weather days are chosen for this procedure, as at moisture of a pollen spoils very quickly, because mold appears in it due to the nutrient medium.

Many novice beekeepers are interested, how long to collect pollen. Usually a special pollen catcher is installed in the morning and removed in the evening, to prevent moisture from entering the product.

How to collect forage in the apiary?

Harvesting in the apiary is carried out using a special design, which is called a pollen catcher. It is a tray made of wood or plastic with a double mesh. The diameter of the holes in the upper grille should be 5 mm, and in the lower 3-4 mm.

Bee pollen is an elixir of health

Install the pollen catcher in front of the lower tray, while the upper is closed. Thanks to this, insects will fly through the bottom and leave the footing in the tray. Pollen is collected as follows:

1. The bee collects pollen grains on flowering plants and attaches it to its paws, and also puts in a special basket, located behind.
2. Arriving at the hive, an insect passing through a pollen catcher, in which falls to 50% collected product. The remaining component is used to feed the larvae.
3. Pollen grains enter the tray through the upper and lower grid.
4. The beekeeper removes the skins from the tray at the end of the day.

You can install a pollen catcher, if the hive has at least three filled frames, but there must be empty frames. This stimulates the insects to continue collecting pollen.