Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

My new hive (started from a package on April 9th) is having a robber problem and I'm reluctant to remove the entrance reducer.

What indications are there for giving the girls more room?

I have the little half moon entrance on the inner cover open also.

Visit the other post in the photo forum to see pictures...
http://beemaster.com/beebbs/viewtopic.php?t=2698

Thanks for your comments!
David

What indications do you have that there are robbers?  Wrestling at the front entrance is a pretty firm sign.  Lots of hovering especially in places other than the front entrance is another.  A temporary group of bees hovering may simply be young bees orienting but that usually only lasts for a few minutes.  Listen to the bees.  If there's a nice, low, harmonic hum then they are not being robbed.  Bees being robbed give off a very discordant sound.

You may just be seeing a traffic jam from such a small entrance.  If the hive is strong, I'd give them more of an entrance and see what happens.

QuoteWrestling at the front entrance is a pretty firm sign. Lots of hovering especially in places other than the front entrance is another.

Yes, this is what is happening! I can notice that some of the bees visiting
the entrance are different in color pattern. Also that some bees try to gain
access through the vent holes in the feeder box.

QuoteYou may just be seeing a traffic jam from such a small entrance. If the hive is strong, I'd give them more of an entrance and see what happens.

I do not see constant traffic jams at the entrance, I just don't think the
population is that high yet. Take a look at the number of bees covering
the centermost frames of the brood camber (link to picture is in previous post)
and tell me if you think that shows a good number of bees hanging
on a brood frame?

[/quote]

I'd leave the entrance small if they are being robbed.  You can build a robber screen if it gets worse or they get desperate.  Are you feeding syrup with essential oils or Honey Bee Healthy in it?  This seems to set off more robbing because the scent attracts the robbers.

http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bush/images/RobberScreenHiveSide.JPG
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bush/images/RobberScreenOutside.JPG

No oils or supplements in the syrup, just heating a 1:1 ratio of
distilled water and granulated table sugar to approx. 140* F

They have been taking this mixture so fast, it rarely has time
to grow any mold in the jars!

Thanks for your response,
David

Quotejust heating a 1:1 ratio of
distilled water and granulated table sugar to approx. 140* F

You're working too hard, dude. :) I put the sugar in a jug and add hot tap, then shake. It works.

Quote from: Lesli
You're working too hard, dude. :) I put the sugar in a jug and add hot tap, then shake. It works.

For 1:1, that's what I do too.  Its bad enough buying sugar.  Buying distilled water?  I don't think so.  They are livestock.  :)  They drink from mud puddles and worse.

That's just great...
Now what am I supposed to do with this 55Gal. drum of
distilled water I bought, Huh?

Just kidding :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Quote from: Michael Bush

Quote from: Lesli
You're working too hard, dude. :) I put the sugar in a jug and add hot tap, then shake. It works.

For 1:1, that's what I do too.  Its bad enough buying sugar.  Buying distilled water?  I don't think so.  They are livestock.  :)  They drink from mud puddles and worse.

Heh... I am ex-Army. I drink from mud puddles and worse! ;)

QuoteHeh... I am ex-Army. I drink from mud puddles and worse! Wink

I lived in the Soviet Union for about 4 months. You don't want to know what I ate and drank. :)

QuoteIts bad enough buying sugar. Buying distilled water?

Oh, I should add that I have well water. If I had chlorinated city water, I might let it air out over night.  :lol:

I don't drink water from the city supply.
Here in Texas we get our water from
man-made lakes that are very shallow.
Sunlight penetrates to the bottom in most
cases and the little one-celled animals grow
and grow. In order for the water to made "fit"
to drink (I use the term loosely) chemicals
must be introduced. I don't give tap water
to my other pets and I will not force the
bees to drink it either. If the bees decide
they like scum infested ditch water over
what I provide, it's their choice! I will not
however, hide the horrid taste of my tap
water with a little table sugar. Come to think
of it, many of you have told me that your bees
will not drink the water you provide. Maybe
their powerful sence of smell tells them the
tap water has stuff they don't want to ingest?

And YES, I do have clean water issues :lol:

Our water comes from a well, with a brine conditioner installed.  It's a little high in nitrates, but it's good for washing and bathing.  For drinking we installed a reverse osmosis system under our kitchen sink.  It cost us only $110 and a half day to install.  In addition to our own use, we use it for the fish tanks and other animals.

-- Kris