Review on Mann Lake FD213 Ultra Bee Dry Feed Canister, 1-Pound: Boost Bee Nutrition with Convenient Feeding Solution by Sara Adams

So far I've had a relatively normal winter here in Virginia and my bees have been able to fly at least a few times a week as temperatures soared into the 40's and below 50's for days. While sawing a tree, I noticed that the bees immediately clung to the sawdust because they resemble pollen. Seeing their desperation and knowing that the queens were due to start brood production again now in January, I decided they needed support. In all my years of beekeeping I honestly had never used these artificial pollen products and was initially tired but when the bees needed help I felt I had nothing to lose. So I bought this and the same day I received it I sprinkled some dry powder in the entrances of the hives (to make them pulverize themselves as they came and went) and were literally within minutes destroyed most of the hives. the bees come out to collect it. A few days later the temp had climbed to the mid 50's and they were flying away so I put in some food and a couple of containers of that pollen - each container held about 3 or 4 tablespoons. After two hours I went out to see how everything was arranged and they took every last one away. I am very impressed with this material and hope it will help the bees hold out until natural pollen returns in a few months. Until then, I'll be getting more of this stuff. I trust Mann Lake as I have used them on many products over the years and I am very much on the side of 'free' beekeeping so this product was a plus but it certainly took some confidence. I've read other reviews where others gave low ratings because their bees didn't touch the material, not even in patty form. Let's be clear - every beekeeper should know how independent and unpredictable our bees can be. So not every hive will like what we have prepared for them. Also, they may not always accept the product for their own reasons. All we beekeepers can do is supply them with products and let them decide. The fact that your bees will not accept this product is not necessarily a reflection of its quality, but rather a reflection of their individual condition. Maybe they don't need pollen. In any case - do not hold grudges against the product. And one more strange note. I love the smell of this product. Difficult to describe but has a light scent reminiscent of the smell of beehives in summer. Anyway, the color won me over. I'm happy with this and hope it gives the bees a boost to produce brood at the end of winter.