Trapping pollen from your colonies during major pollen flows will ensure adequate supplies to feed back to your colonies whenever conditions warrant, as in early spring. To trap pollen effectively, force the field bees to enter the hive through an opening screened with either five-mesh hardware cloth or a 3/16-inch diameter perforated metal plate. A double-screened grid is much more efficient than a single screen. When a double screen is used, separate the layers by 3/16 to 1/4 inch and offset the openings. In addition to having a grid that removes most of the pollen pellets from the bees, traps also contain a box or tray to collect the pellets. The collection container should also be covered with seven- or eight-mesh screen to prevent bee entry. Traps should be covered also to prevent rain from getting into the pollen. Making the tray or collection part of the trap from wood will eliminate condensation, and using copper screen on the bottom of the pollen-collecting container will help prevent mold in the collected pollen.

Pollen traps vary greatly in design and positioning on the colony. The size, shape, and arrangement of the parts, the location of the trap on the colony, the method of installation, and other factors can be varied to suit individual needs and circumstances. Traps mounted at the top of the hive will give the cleanest pollen.

Pollen should be trapped from only strong, disease-free colonies during major pollen flows. Traps should be removed at other times. During major nectar flows, pollen trapping is unprofitable. The pollen trap should not be allowed to remain on any colony for more than a few days so the colony is not deprived of adequate pollen stores. Traps should collect from 1/4 to 1/2 pound per day. Solid, bee-tight hive equipment is necessary; otherwise, the bees will seek out any secondary openings to avoid passing through the pollen trap grid.

Pollen should be removed from the trap daily and cared for properly. Moisture in the collected pollen may be a serious problem during inclement weather and in areas of high humidity. Freshly trapped pollen is perishable and must be frozen or dried. Pollen properly dried can be stored for years in a closed container without appreciable loss in its food value. Fresh pollen can be placed in paper bags and stored in a deep freeze below freezing temperatures until needed.

Studies at the University of Guelph, Ontario, have shown that mixing two parts freshly trapped pollen with one part granulated sugar and packing it tightly into sealed containers is an effective way of storing pollen. Pollen stored in this manner does not require refrigeration and can be incorporated readily into pollen supplement formulae. It was found to promote excellent brood rearing after two years' storage at room temperature.