I've seen less than ten varroa mites since 2007 but practice KYBO (Keep Your Broodnests Open), checkerboarding, frame manipulation (whatever one calls it these days :roll:) religiously, along w/ freezing a drone frame or 2 when seemingly (too me anyway) taking over. Haven't used any pollen patties for at least as many years.
By the time our willows begin we are very fortunate in N/W Wisconsin to have a relatively steady flow of some sort going on throughout out (most of) our summer months (our dandelions just finished ;), no punnnnn intended ;).
Only low temps can prevent our bees from gathering....so then we feed....and feed...and sometimes we feed more,,,,,,but,,,,,, pollen always seems to be plentiful around here, so patties for the most part, make little since in "these" parts of Wisconsin, IMO.
That said, I generally will place pollen sub 'out in the yard' (instead of inside the hive) at least once during Spring and/or Fall (a just in case action). Sometimes they take it, sometimes they don't.
As Sly (Stone) said; different strokes for different folks (and that can only include beekeepers too, heh?). Many of Mr. Finski's methods or even rdyy-b methods would not work (as well) here in Wisconsin or Manitoba, Canada. Lest we remind ourselves (harder for some) that 'all beekeeping (just like "all" politics) is local.' 8-).
Personally, I wouldn't think of adhering to 'anyones' beekeeping methods that didn't also experience my climate, and no other beek should either.
But that's just me. Do whatever you want, follow whomever you want. I too was a bee- killer for many years :'( until I discovered that LOCAL BEES RULE!!!! :-D
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