Pollen Trap comparison, two Bee Hive front designs Wood vs Plastic, issues that may need attention.

There are many pollen trap designs available, these are two that I think are appealing to backyard beekeepers.
You don't have to lift the hive and replace the bottom board to get pollen.
There are other hive manufacturers that provide pollen traps as an integrated part of their bottom board, such as the Apimaye hives: • Apimaye Ergo Plus Bee ...
In this video, I review two pollen traps.
My all time favorite landing board mounted pollen trap can be found right here at The Blythewood Bee Co.
blythewoodbeecompany.com/prod...
Don't forget to tell them that you were sent by Frederick Dunn so you can pay the same as everyone else :)
The plastic hive front pollen trap system was purchased on Amazon and this is an affiliate link: amzn.to/3s5GcSA
This identical trap is being sold under many different company names.
These are the plastic tubes that I put my collected pollen in:
This is an affiliate link: amzn.to/3s75qjy
If you are making your own pollen traps, these are the trap inserts I was referring to:
amzn.to/3qwA05y This is an affiliate link.
I do not recommend leaving your pollen trap on and in the active mode for more than a few hours per day. I also recommend that you only collect pollen from a very strong colony that isn't struggling.
CLINICAL TRIALS involving pollen:
www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/14/...
If you'd like to support this KZbin channel, please visit my website:
www.fredsfinefowl.com/patronp...
These resources are utilized to produce better content on a variety of topics.

[@BlythewoodBeeCompany]

Fred, thank you for reviewing our wooden pollen trap. The pollen trap is made from yellow pine that is much more dense than white pine. Our yellow pine equipment has about the same density as oak base on the Janka scale. The beauty of yellow pine is the rosin content. It allows you to darken it with a propane torch which brings the rosin to the surface and hardens which helps preserve the wood even longer. The Japanase actually use a wood preservation method called "shou sugi ban" which is very similar to the process I use. All of our woodenware is made from yellow pine and is very durable just like the pollen trap. Just an FYI. Thank you again for the honest review.

[@FrederickDunn]

This is your product? I really wish it had included some information regarding who manufactures it. Are the materials from the U.S.? Thank you for the information regarding yellow pine and it's durability. I've already treated all of them with Eco-Wood. Since you're the manufacturer, would you please provide information regarding the screen composition? Is it galvinized or stainless? I've received several questions about that. Thank you in advance, and for making my favorite pollen trap system. :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Oops, I just realized that you're actually Blythewood Bee Co. :) your KZbin title threw me off :) I've sent a couple of emails with questions.

[@BlythewoodBeeCompany]

@@FrederickDunn Yes this is Scott Derrick. I understand how could have thrown you off. I did bee removal for 8 years under the Blythewood Bee Company name long before I started the store and creating Swarm Commander and Honey B Gone. To answer your question, the screen in the pollen trap is "Galvanized #8 Screen". We've not had any reports of problem with the screen or the plastic insert. Thank again for the great content you are producing.

[@kennith.]

Thank you for taking part in the pollen survey. Looking forward to the results.

[@LarryLeesBees]

I purchased the wood pollen trap several years ago (probably from a previous video from you Fred 😂) and it works so well! I only leave it closed for about 3 hours a day and I still collected about a pound of pollen in about 1 week. It’s pretty amazing! Thanks for another great video Fred!!!

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm glad it's still working great for you :) I have three of those, and they are super convenient :)

[@highlandhoneybee]

Perfect timing!!! I posted this pollen trap question to my bee groups this very week! I just checked their website and unfortunately Blythewood doesn't have it in the 8-frame size at this time. Hopefully they will have some in stock soon.

[@JoesphEKerr]

Love all that jazz!

[@tommychew6544]

I'll be interested in in seeing the pesticides levels found in the pollen. The systemic pesticides used to coat most corn seed now days will likely show up, I've wondered about that.

[@FrederickDunn]

It's likely going to be part of my presentation at the conference in January :)

[@trevormcnutt9756]

We cant handle the truth... Not just corn fields. Check any honey or wax foundation.... 2 sheets front to back of poison

[@russellaymond312]

Another informative video ,Mr. Fred thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

i like it!!! thanks mr dunn!!!! dont like plastic at all !!! good job on this one

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you like it, always nice to see your comments :)

[@chines72]

I tried out several brands of entrance pollen traps this year. The best seemed to be the wooden Blythewood trap and also the Korean Bee Flower brand trap with 4.6mm rings.

[@Huntnlady7]

Here in New Mexico, my bees are mostly cleaning harvested frames. The pollen they are getting are from my zinnias and the urban/suburban flowers. It is such a shame that many of my neighbors invest so much time and water in a grass lawn monoculture. I am grateful for your teaching, Bee Happy; Be Well

[@Huntnlady7]

I bought a pollen trap system many years ago from Mann Lake. It is a wooden box design that goes over the hive entrance. The bees must pass through a wire screen of a certain dimension. And the pollen collection tray in the bottom also was a wire screen. Needless to say; it scraped very little pollen from the incoming workers; the pollen it did collect left much of it to fall to the ground below. Seeing your great video and review, I can dust off the old pollen trap box and rework it; but that will have to wait until Spring in 2024.

[@evilgibson]

When you want to steal nice pollen from baby bees but don't have the tiny hands to do it

[@robertmalis4493]

Really, great video Fred

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, Robert!

[@Huntnlady7]

Wow; that was an excellent and thorough review

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you :)

[@spiritoftoad]

Great information as always! Thanks!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you :)

[@sonofthunder.]

i find my apimay style,pollen traps trays work very good

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, they do indeed. But most beekeepers dont' have apimaye hives.

[@sonofthunder.]

@@FrederickDunn mines a knockoff ,golden palace ,nearly identicle,the pollen trap is one of its top features to me as i try them out,

[@markmiller4047]

Thanks Mr.Dunn for your work on this video it was vary helpful I do appreciate it.

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eddybarker5072]

I bought the same wood pollen trap from Blythewood and it’s held up great. I scorched it lightly with a torch and added two coats of marine varnish and it’s doing its job well on occasion for temp use. Great video Fred…I love your shots of the bees and I’m curious about the corn pollen and if it’s GMO with some of the pesticide immunity.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing, Eddy! I like them also. Sounds like you're taking great care of yours!

[@BlythewoodBeeCompany]

Eddy, to me that is one of the best way to protect it. We've also done this with all our woodenware and it turns out beautiful.

[@marobroski2286]

Dziękujemy.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much for your generosity :) I really appreciate it!

[@Kaalokalawaia]

Hey Fred. Great video as always. Do you think getting your pollen tested is important for people with a small number of hives?

[@FrederickDunn]

Not really, this is for a larger study regarding neonics and where they show up.

[@stevenaamos]

Fred, great review as always! Have you considered the Apimaye trap?

[@FrederickDunn]

I wrote about those in the video description :) all apimaye hive bottom boards have the pollen trap integrated, they work very well.

[@stevenaamos]

Glad to hear it since I had 2 delivered last week!

[@dannyhiggins6095]

Yes Apimaye base for wood hives have gr8 pollen trap just need to smoke under base before removing pollen slide to reduce decapitation of bees

[@nancynolton6079]

Was surprised to see on Blythewood's website your recent video review of pollen traps. Blythewood is certainly using your channel to promote their product not sure if you were aware!

[@FrederickDunn]

I checked the website, it's an embeded video, which means it's really just a link to my video and I do get the credit for the views etc. :) Thanks for letting me know! :)

[@nancynolton6079]

Maybe Santa will add a pollen trap to the Bee Christmas list!@@FrederickDunn

[@boldger13]

I’ve been watching your videos for years and enjoy them very much. I’ve never requested anything, but I’d like to now. Would you bee able to try some other pollen traps like the ones that replace your bottom board or go between your bottom board and brood box? Thanks in advance.

[@danieldorchester5221]

To add to this the Apimaye hive has a pollen collection tray that comes with the hive kit.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, I've reviewed those years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3vGc4Zjr8yKeM0

[@yking333]

Great video, and love the explanations. Two questions: 1) how quickly does the Blythewood fill up? (Assuming you left it on for a while) 2) what about a design that purposely allows some pollen in and some gets collected, say it’s constantly harvesting 30% of pollen collected. It feels like lightly harvesting *some* over a longer period is less harsh than taking 100% over a shorter period? (Do you think the bees realize the pollen is being removed? In that case, would the bees “wise up” and only go through the bigger holes so you’d collect no pollen at all!). Curious your thoughts, thanks for the great content!

[@FrederickDunn]

I just added these questions to today's Q&A list :)

[@Bkgrosskopf]

Curious to see the results of the corn pollen. I'm planning on starting a hive next year and am in the process of getting equipment now. I live right next to a crop field and am slightly worried about any contamination. Have you had any issues with your hives? It doesn't seem like it.

[@FrederickDunn]

You can find out about pesticide loading in your area by visiting BeeScape.org and putting your information in.

[@Ovenmitt123]

The #8 hardware cloth is commonly galvanized and not ideal for food contact intended for human consumption. I'm not sure if this is the case with the Blythewood version of pollen trap. Just a food for thought.

[@FrederickDunn]

All of the #8 screen I have is stainless. But let's say this screen is zinc coated or galvinized as were most of the honey extractors years ago. I'm not sure the pollen falling through the screen would pick up a detectable amount of that coating. It's not like you're extruding through the screen, it's just falling through the openings. I'll send a message to Blythewood and ask for information about that screen composition. Thanks for asking.

[@ZOMBIEHEADSHOTKILLER]

what are the sizes of holes in the pollen trap ( the round holes)? ... preferably in millimeters .... one decimal point should be accurate enough.

[@FrederickDunn]

The best hole size for honey bee pollen traps is 0.07 to 0.10 inches (1.8 to 2.5 mm). This size is small enough to remove pollen from the bees' legs, but large enough for them to pass through without difficulty. If the holes are too small, the bees will be unable to pass through, and if they are too large, the pollen will not be removed effectively.

[@bradgoliphant]

Could you recommend your fav pollen trap? I’d like to add them next year on my flow hives

[@FrederickDunn]

blythewoodbeecompany.com/products/wooden-bee-hive-pollen-trap?_pos=1&_sid=6b9a429ba&_ss=r

[@PapaZsBees]

Will either of these work with Flow Hive 2 (2+)?

[@FrederickDunn]

You'd have to make some adjustments as the FH landing boards are slanted. A wedge-style shim under the wooden pollen trap.

[@theallseeingmaster]

What is the 'need' for pollen for the beekeeper? Is it offered to the hives during winter? Is it sold to vegans for cashflow?

[@FrederickDunn]

both. Those who collect pollen can offer it to people for consumption, or amend winter patties with it if they wish. I collect it for diagnostics.

[@gli0529]

Good morning, did you get your pollen results?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes I did! It was not at all what the project leader expected. End result, Vermont has real problems. Here in PA, my samples were clean, including the plants I submitted - milkweed, clover, and goldenrod. All clear.

[@enricotoesca3941]

Heilà Dear Frederick 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@robertmathurin739]

🇱🇨👍🏼♥️

[@SersBarons]

I live in Latvia, selling pollen here is not realistic, we have Ukrainian honey for 2.20 Euro/liter.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing.