You certainly need less stores in a poly hive (with varroa tray inserted) overwinter. Big note to myself this spring was feed less as fed up of removing three or four unused brood frames full of sugar syrup come spring.
The use of pollen substitutes can be a vexing question, some (like me) are in a very pollen rich area, some aren't. Each beekeeper really needs to determine for themselves whether there is sufficient pollen going into their hives when flying weather begins in spring.
This winter I'm going to freeze several pollen clogged brood frames and place back into the hives early Feb when there is no natural pollen around. I know from some early (and very rapid) inspections there little to no pollen remaining in my hives come Feb.
The use of pollen substitutes can be a vexing question, some (like me) are in a very pollen rich area, some aren't. Each beekeeper really needs to determine for themselves whether there is sufficient pollen going into their hives when flying weather begins in spring.
This winter I'm going to freeze several pollen clogged brood frames and place back into the hives early Feb when there is no natural pollen around. I know from some early (and very rapid) inspections there little to no pollen remaining in my hives come Feb.