Pollen Production

Pollen production means collecting some of the pollen pellets carried on the legs of forager bees with a pollen trap fitted at the hive entrance, then drying, cleaning and storing them immediately. Because pollen is the colony's only source of protein, the trap is run intermittently and pollen is taken only from strong colonies. The key to success is drying and hygiene in the first hours after harvest.

What is bee pollen?

Forager bees moisten the pollen grains they collect from flowers with a little nectar and saliva and pack them into the pollen basket (corbicula) on their hind legs. These are the coloured pellets seen on the legs of bees returning to the hive. The "bee pollen" or "flower pollen" a beekeeper collects is these pellets themselves.

Pollen is the colony's source of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. Nurse bees in particular depend on pollen to secrete royal jelly; without pollen, no brood can be reared. The colour of pollen pellets varies with the plant: yellow, orange, red, grey, purple and even black pellets can be seen.

How does a pollen trap work?

A pollen trap consists of a perforated plate that the bee has to pass through to enter the hive, and a collecting drawer underneath. The holes are just wide enough for a worker bee to squeeze through (about 5 mm). As the bee passes through the hole, some of the pellets on its legs are scraped off and fall through a fine mesh into the drawer; the mesh stops the bees from reaching the fallen pollen.

• Entrance (front) trap: Fitted in front of the entrance; easy to put on and take off, it is the most common type.
• Floor trap: Replaces the floor; the drawer is pulled out from the back and offers a large collecting area.
• Top trap: Placed between hive boxes; the pollen has less contact with rain and soil.

A good trap has a drone exit; drones cannot pass through the holes and, without an exit, pile up at the entrance. The trap drawer should be ventilated but protected from rain.

When should pollen be collected?

The time for pollen production is the period of abundant pollen: the second half of spring and the weeks when forage is plentiful. Taking part of the pollen while the bees are bringing in more than they need does not strain the colony; running the trap during a dearth, on the other hand, directly weakens the colony.

• Suitable colonies: Populous, healthy colonies with young queens and large brood nests.
• Unsuitable: Weak colonies, newly split colonies, colonies being requeened or showing signs of disease.
• Periods to avoid: The period of any treatment with medicines, and days when crops nearby are being sprayed.

How much pollen can be taken from a colony?

The trap does not take all the pollen, and it should not. Some of the bees pass through without losing their pellets, so pollen still enters the colony. However, if the trap is run continuously, the pollen stores in the hive dwindle, nurse bees are underfed and the brood nest shrinks.

The common practice is to run the trap intermittently: a few days on, a few days off, or a few days a week. At each inspection look at the brood nest and the band of pollen; if the brood nest is shrinking or no pollen is visible in the comb, close the trap immediately.

After the harvest: the most critical stage

Fresh pollen has a high moisture content (often over 20%), and in warm weather mould and yeast start to develop within a few hours. The quality of the collected pollen is largely decided at this stage.

1. Collect daily: Do not leave the drawer on the hive; in hot, humid weather, empty it twice a day.
2. Process immediately: There are two options: fresh pollen is either frozen straight away or dried at a low temperature.
3. Dry at a low temperature: Drying is done in a ventilated dryer without exceeding about 40 °C; high heat damages the colour, aroma and nutrients. Drying in direct sun is not recommended.
4. Clean: Bee parts, wax crumbs, dust and foreign matter are removed with sieves and an air stream.
5. Freeze against pests: Keeping dried pollen in a freezer for a while is a common practice to kill the eggs of wax moths and other insects.

How should bee pollen be stored?

• Dried pollen: Stored in an airtight, food-safe container in a dry, cool and dark place. If it absorbs moisture it goes mouldy; mouldy pollen cannot be saved by sorting and must be thrown away entirely.
• Frozen fresh pollen: Preserves nutrients and aroma better, but requires an unbroken cold chain. Thawed pollen must not be refrozen.
• Labelling and records: Note the collection date, the apiary and, if possible, the dominant plant.

Hygiene and residues

Pollen is a food that is eaten directly. The trap drawer, drying trays and containers are kept clean; the collection area is protected from dust, vermin and pets. Pollen can carry pesticides and environmental pollutants from the area where the bees fly; not producing pollen near heavily sprayed fields and busy roads is the safest course.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the trap open all the time: Brood rearing falls, and the colony and honey yield weaken.
• Not emptying the drawer for days: The pollen goes mouldy, gets infested with insects and becomes unusable.
• Drying at high temperatures or in direct sun: Colour and quality are lost.
• Fitting a trap to a weak colony: It takes the colony weeks to recover.
• Feeding pollen bought from other apiaries: There is a risk of carrying disease agents; give your colonies only pollen from your own apiary.