Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: txbeegal on April 22, 2013, 03:37:20 PM

Title: Entrance Reducer
Post by: txbeegal on April 22, 2013, 03:37:20 PM
Hello all,
Do I need to remove the entrance reducer now that we are in full Spring??? 
Title: Re: Entrance Reducer
Post by: Joe D on April 22, 2013, 03:51:46 PM
You may can if you have a big robust colony.  I still have a reducer in mine.  They have about a three inch gap.  I had run mine year round without a reducer and last fall 5 of my hives jumped on 1 strong hive, killed them all and robbed the honey.  I have had a reducer in every since.  Will take it out during the summer.  Good luck to you and your bees.




Joe
Title: Re: Entrance Reducer
Post by: Finski on April 22, 2013, 04:04:16 PM
.
I look the need from number of ventilating bees. I have solid bottoms,

In main flow I keep entrance open because they dry up nectar and need  huge air flow.

.
Title: Re: Entrance Reducer
Post by: Bees In Miami on April 22, 2013, 05:29:12 PM
The bees will tell you when it's time to remove it.  When you start seeing traffic jams, open it some more.  I open gradually, in stages if you will.  I usually cut a reducer in half, so I can go to half open next, then when that gets crowded, remove the rest.  JMO.