Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Nock on May 08, 2019, 09:30:23 PM

Title: New entrance reducers
Post by: Nock on May 08, 2019, 09:30:23 PM
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I made some with a 3/4? entrance. Noticed they are having issues getting in because of other bees so made some more. I didn?t like the ones that came with boxes originally. Made these with a step to keep them from being pushed up inside. Main entrance on the new ones are 4?. The other slot is for feeder. It?s tight so bees can?t get around it to the feeder.
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 08, 2019, 09:35:56 PM
Nock,
Looks good but I strongly recommend that you do not use entrance feeders especially during any dearths.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: Nock on May 08, 2019, 10:42:23 PM
Okay. I got to ask why?  Thanks
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 09, 2019, 12:01:11 AM
Feeding causes robbing. Entrance feeders are the worst for causing robbing. Top feeders are much better at minimizing robbing.
Keep in mind that you are not only dealing with other bees but also ants. I have lost a lot of hives to Carpenter Ants. I never use front feeders. 
I just threw away about a dozen front feeders that I got from an Apiary that I purchased last year.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: Nock on May 09, 2019, 07:41:56 AM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 09, 2019, 12:01:11 AM
Feeding causes robbing. Entrance feeders are the worst for causing robbing. Top feeders are much better at minimizing robbing.
Keep in mind that you are not only dealing with other bees but also ants. I have lost a lot of hives to Carpenter Ants. I never use front feeders. 
I just threw away about a dozen front feeders that I got from an Apiary that I purchased last year.
Jim Altmiller
Ah I misread your first response. I thought you said reducers cause the problem. Yeah I?ve already been thinking about switching to top feeders for the reason you mentioned.
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: paus on May 09, 2019, 09:48:32 AM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 09, 2019, 12:01:11 AM
Feeding causes robbing. Entrance feeders are the worst for causing robbing. Top feeders are much better at minimizing robbing.
Keep in mind that you are not only dealing with other bees but also ants. I have lost a lot of hives to Carpenter Ants. I never use front feeders. 
I just threw away about a dozen front feeders that I got from an Apiary that I purchased last year.
Jim Altmiller       I found Carpenter Ants in a strong hive last week.  What can I do about that?
/quote]
Title: Re: New entrance reducers
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 10, 2019, 12:16:37 AM
Paus,
Last year I had so many ant problems I kept an old vacuum  with an extension cord. When I found ants in a hive, I would pick it up and vacuum them up. Then I would dump them in a bucket of soapy water. You have to get them all, including the egg.
Jim