So the screen is on...some bees are trying to get in (around 5 or so )...reducer is on, then I will put Vicks around the entrance? Frustrating...ugh
Anyone ever use the wet sheet over the hive treatment?? It is hot here today ( for us, Indian Summer )...
Update..it IS robbing! Tons of bees trying to get into the closed hive! ARGH!!!!!!!!!! This beekeeping is frustrating!!!!!
Not knowing the situation, they could just be returning foragers....
Haven't tried the wet sheet thing, but I had good luck with a sprinkler.
Rick
After having the screen on...now a large cluster of bees is trying to get inside. Robbing!
Did you put the screen on during the day? It could be foragers returning to the hive. The screen needs to go on during the night time.
Early am...is when I screened
If they go away then they are the robbers. If they stay they belong there. Check it tonight.
I had a similar ordeal about a month ago. After 4 days of having a pound or more of bees cluster on the screen every day, I finally moved to hive to another location. Hopefully you will have better success :-D
Well I took off the screen...I will place the screen over the entrance late tonight...then check tomorrow I suppose...oh bother
I'd leave it on. The robbers will tire and leave. Leaving them open to robbing is not good.
Definitely LEAVE IT ON. Wait until dark and go take a look. That's how I determined whether I had foragers or robbers. I had to use a sprinkler and it worked fine. After nightfall I put on a robber screen and reduced the entrance. Left it that way for the rest of the summer last year.
Robbers did not appear today! hooray!