Product Support
Product Instructions
Feedbee is an alternative Feed/Diet for honeybees. Feedbee is comparable with high quality pollen. Feedbee contains 36.4% Protein, 3.9% Fat, 41.8% Carbohydrates, 10.0% naturally occurring Sugar, 3.1% Minerals.
Feedbee can be fed to honeybees mostly during shortage or absence of natural pollen & during single crop pollination.
Feedbee is fed to colonies mostly:
1- In the early spring when there is no natural pollen available for 6-8 weeks or at least 41 days before the first seasonal blossoming or flow of pollen. This feeding will enhance bee population much earlier than the first flow of pollen and nectar.
2- At the time of shortage/absence of good quality pollen. There is always shortage of good quality pollen, due to single crop pollutions or limited areas for foraging.
3- At least 6 weeks in the fall in order to get strong bees for over-wintering.
4- During or after any pollination.
5- At the time of inclement climatic conditions when bees cannot go out of their hives for normal foraging.
6- When plants are sprayed with pesticide. Most orchards or agricultural fields are sprayed with pesticides. To avoid toxication by foraging on contaminated flowers/pollen bees can be fed with Feedbee patty or liquid inside their hives.
7- During any losses of population due to toxins, diseases etc.
8- To prevent or cure Nosema infested colonies (before or after the disease outbreak).
9- To prevent chalk brood disease.
10- To increase the general health of the colonies to withstand mites or any diseases.
Do not feed bees with any pollen or pollen substitute diets when:
1- The colony is already in cluster and ready for winter.
2- There is wax moth infestation in the hive.
Consumption Rate For Feedbee/Colony
An average colony consumes 400-500g per week. Consumption rate for Feedbee in powder form would be a bit higher than in patty & liquid forms.
Feeding Methods
Powder feeding:
Is done when the temperature is warm enough & it is not raining or windy, thus comfortable climatic conditions for bees to get out of their hives for normal foraging. Powder feeding is done as following video and pictures.
Powder Feeding Videos
Patty Making Recipe:
In order to make a good & long-lasting paste/patty making an acidic sugar syrup is required.
1. MAKING SUGAR SYRUP: Dissolve 40 kg of table sugar in 20 litters of boiling water. Add 6 litters of either lemon juice, citric acid or apple cedar. Let the syrup cool down.
2. MAKING Feedbee paste/patty: Empty a bag of Feedbee powder (20kg) in the bowl of a dough maker/mixer & add 18 litters of sugar syrup let it mix while mixing until a soft paste is made, add some more syrup if dough is too firm. Leave the paste in a closed container for at least 24 hours before feeding. next day the dough will be firm.
Important: Do not make the paste by hand, use a dough maker. Apply 300-400 g of the paste on a wax paper & place it inside the hive on top bars.
Note:
1. If storing the paste for longer time seal the container right after filling it.
2. Keep the paste in a place away from sun, with maximum temperature of 15 degree Celsius.
3. this past can be stored for 18 months.
4. Use dough maker. Paste made by hand cannot stay moist for a long time
How to Make Patties Videos
Liquid Feeding Video
Liquid Feeding in empty comb, outside the hive video
Powder feeding in cone shaped feeder/USA |
Powder Feeding in flat tray/ Middle East  |
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Firm Patty on top bars/Hungary |
Liquid Feeding inside the hive using a feeder/New Zealand |
Hive Liquid Feeder |
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Storage:
Feedbee can be stored in powder form for 20 months in dry and cool place away from rodents, insects and direct sun. The production & expiry date are printed on the bags.