Over the past couple of weeks, I've been concerned about low pollen production. The production itself remains steady, but the cold and damp weather has prevented the bees from collecting it when it's available. Instead, they are huddled in the hive, staying warm while the pollen washes off the flowers.
I've been closely monitoring the bees packing pollen and observing the cells. It seemed like there wasn't enough pollen being stored or brought in. A few days ago, I decided to pour a little Pollen Pro on the landing board. Yesterday, about three days later, it was all gone.
Given these observations, it might be a good idea to purchase a pollen substitute and keep it on hand for such occasions. Bees need protein for brood production, and they search out specific types of pollen at various times of the year depending on their needs. I'm concerned that some essential pollen types haven't been available this spring when the bees could retrieve them. Having a substitute on hand could help ensure the colony's health during these challenging periods.