Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: greenbtree on March 14, 2014, 12:41:30 AM

Title: Robbing Screens On All The Time? Virgin Queen Return?
Post by: greenbtree on March 14, 2014, 12:41:30 AM
I had a lot of robbing last year, especially in the Fall, but on and off even before that.  I am expecting more early this Spring.  When you have a full time job, you don't always catch them in the act.  Does anyone leave robbing screens on their hives all the time?  Any down side to this?

JC
Title: Re: Robbing Screens On All The Time?
Post by: Steel Tiger on March 14, 2014, 01:17:14 AM
 I've seen videos of people putting up plates in front of the entrances to help stop the robbing. They also cut back on the size of the entrance so the bees could better defend. As long as the bees can find their way in and out, it doesn't seem to bother them.
Title: Re: Robbing Screens On All The Time?
Post by: Michael Bush on March 14, 2014, 08:38:30 AM
>Any down side to this?

A slight slow down in traffic during a flow.
Title: Re: Robbing Screens On All The Time?
Post by: pomicultorul on March 14, 2014, 10:34:29 PM
I have similar concerns, would mating queens find their way back in an always-on-screen scenario?  Thank you.
Title: Re: Robbing Screens On All The Time? Virgin Queen Return?
Post by: greenbtree on March 16, 2014, 01:55:38 PM
I didn't even think off the returning queen scenario.  Good question.

JC