This is my fourth year keeping bees. Every fall I have battled robbing weather my hives were strong or not. This fall I have not observed any robbing at all here in Minnesota. Makes me wonder why!!!!
Maybe they knew I built robbing screens for all my hives this spring?
John
What size opening do you have on your hives? At least during robbing season you should reduce your openings to at most 2" by 3/8". On weaker hives I use 1/2" by 3/8". I keep my hives reduced all year long.
Jim
On my weakest hive I reduced the entrance to a hole 3/8". Something that they can defend.
I am running a 2" by 3/8" hole. Similar to other years. We did get some rains this fall and we still have asters blooming. Also no killing frost .
John
Do a Google for "Robbing Screens" or try <http://www.brownsbeefarm.com/robing_screen.html>