Entrance pollen trap for pollen collection 37.5 cm

Entrance Pollen Trap for Pollen Collection 37.5 cm

The entrance pollen trap is a practical and gentle solution for beekeepers who want to collect pollen loads directly at the entrance of a Varroa screened bottom board. It is mounted externally in front of the entrance opening, so you avoid any intervention inside the hive or the more complicated disassembly of the bottom board, as is the case with pollen traps integrated into the floor. When returning to the hive, bees pass through a plastic grid with circular holes; as they squeeze through, the pollen pellets are dislodged and fall into the collection tray.

Key Advantages and Benefits for Beekeepers

Pollen collection without unnecessary disturbance to the colony: The pollen trap simply hangs on protruding screws. The drop-through screen also serves as a ventilation area, so air access to the entrance is not restricted and the colony is not subjected to unnecessary stress.

Better protection of pollen against overheating and mould: Freshly collected pollen contains moisture and can spoil quickly. The advantage is a separate, easily removable collection tray with perforations for good ventilation. The tray can also be conveniently rinsed with water and kept clean.

Flip-up grid for quick interruption of collection: By flipping the grid from the vertical to the horizontal position (for example by propping it with a small wooden block), you can stop pollen collection at any time without having to remove the trap. The bees can then fly out freely through the gap, without passing through the grid.

Drone passages: Side exit holes with a diameter of 12 mm allow drones to leave the hive without any problems, as they usually cannot pass through the standard pollen trap grid.

Proper Installation and Practical Tips

The pollen trap is most commonly installed in spring, when pollen is abundant in nature (for example during the bloom of fruit trees or oilseed rape). It is recommended to carry out the installation early in the morning or in the evening, when flight activity is low and there is no confusion in front of the entrance. Screw two screws (4×25) into the front wall of the Varroa screened bottom board at a spacing of 330 mm and hang the pollen trap on them using the inverted keyhole-shaped slots. Make sure there is no gap between the pollen trap and the hive – bees will always find the easiest way and would bypass the grid. If your hives are close together, it is advisable to fit pollen traps on all colonies so that bees do not drift into neighbouring hives without a collection barrier.

Colony Care and Pollen Storage

Long-term continuous pollen collection can reduce the colony's protein reserves needed for brood rearing. In practice, it has proven effective to collect pollen in shorter cycles (e.g. 3–4 days) and then interrupt collection for a period. Even though bees will eventually learn to "smuggle" some pollen loads through, regularly check the pollen stores in the combs. Remove pollen from the collection tray daily or every other day to prevent it from being spoiled by moisture, mould or sudden rain. Dry the collected pollen as soon as possible, freeze it, or let it ferment in a jar with a sealable lid and cover the surface with honey for better stability and preservation of nutritional value.

Technical Specifications