Recipes

Hive Recipes

Grease patty recipes

Grease Patties
Grease Patties containing both wintergreen oil or tea tree oil and mineral salt appear to have an effect on varroa mites and tracheal mites. These effects can be seen when brood is present, and has a devastating effect on mites when brood is not present. However, grease patties with essential oils should not be used during time of honey collection for human consumption. During this time, grease patties without essential oils can be used to a lesser effect. For any noticeable effect, a grease patty of some form should be used at all times. Replace any consumed patties.

Simple Grease Patty
1 part (by volume) solid vegetable shorting (such as Crisco)
2 parts (by volume) white sugar
Mix sugar and shortening until well combined. Split into approximately quarter cup (~6 centiliters) portions and store excess in the freezer sandwiched between sheets of wax paper.

Grease Patty With Mineral Salt
2 lbs solid vegetable shorting (such as Crisco)
3 lbs whites sugar
1 lb 1:2 Syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup or Clean Honey
1/3 cup pulverized mineral salt (~1/5lb Depending on mineral content)
Prepare the same as you would a simple grease patty recipe.

Grease Patty With Mineral Salt and Essential Oils
2 lbs solid vegetable shorting (such as Crisco)
3 lbs whites sugar
1 lb 1:2 Syrup or High Fructose Corn Syrup or Clean Honey
1/3 cup pulverized mineral salt (~1/5lb Depending on mineral content)
3 table spoons wintergreen oil
Prepare the same as you would a simple grease patty recipe.

Extender Patty
If a grease patty contains terramycin, it is called an extender patty, and was once considered one of the best ways to control AFB. As resistance has been noted with this form of application it is no longer recommended. For your information, the recipe is here.
lb powdered sugar
lb solid vegetable shortening (such as Crisco)
2 tablespoons Terramycin TM-25
This patty was used to eliminate three weekly dustings of powdered Terramycin. The danger is that keeping a low level of TM in the hive leads to resistance.

Pollen Supplement Patty Recipe

To make 24 (1 lb) patties:
0.5 kg pollen - or more (800 ml or 3.3 cups)
2.5 kg hot water (2.5 l or 10.6 cups)
5.0 kg white sugar (5.3 l or 22.5 cups)
4.0 kg brewer's yeast (6 l or 25.5 cups)
(plus up to 600g or 900ml extra yeast as nec.)

To make 6 (1 lb) patties:
0.125 kg pollen (200 ml or 0.8 c)
0.625 kg hot water (815 ml or 2.6 c.)
1.25 kg sugar (1.4 l or 5.6 c.)
1.0 kg brewer's yeast (1.5 l or 6.3c.)
(+ up to125g or 225ml more yeast)

Place pollen in large pail. Mix hot water with sugar to make a syrup, then gradually add syrup to pollen, stirring well to break up pollen pellets. Add half the yeast and mix well, moving outdoors if yeast dust is excessive. Add remainder of yeast gradually. You may need to add a little more water if it doesn't blend after persistent mixing, or more yeast if mixture is too thin. Once blended, let stand a few hours or over night at room temperature. Place desired amount (1 lb or 450 g) between two sheets of waxed paper, and it is ready to use. Refrigerate or freeze until needed. Use one patty per colony - score the underside with your hive tool and place scored side down on the top bars in the broodnest area. Patties may be torn in half to feed smaller patties to more colonies. Use a higher ratio of pollen if desired - patties will be more readily eaten and have a higher nutritional value.