Newbie Q- Is the syrup being robbed?

[Mamichi]

Hey all, we installed two sets of package bees about 5 days ago into two hives. I bought one of those beginner hive kits that came with an entrance feeder for each hive, so that's what we're using. Well, we've noticed the last two days that after we put out the sugar water that within 30 minutes to an hour, there is a complete frenzy outside the hive and a good amount of the syrup is gone. I am amazed at how fast the syrup is being consumed. You can see bees all around where the cup hits the tray, so I'm assuming they are able to feed there.

Anyway, is the frenzy normal after replenishing the syrup? Is it normal for a pint-ish to be gone within a couple of hours? All returns to normal after the syrup is all gone. Are they being robbed, or what? And if so, what do I do about it?

Thanks, everyone!

:) M

[garys520]

Boardman feeders are notorious for robbing.  If you only had one hive you could probably get away with one.  I had three hives my first year and used an entrance feeder on one hive, I think it was empty in one hour or less.  Better off with using a empth deep on top with a feeder over the opening on the inside cover.   

[luvin honey]

It sounds like robbing to me. Could you rig up a feeder INSIDE the hive? I'm assuming you have Langstroths, so I'm not sure how that would work, but feeders in the back of my topbars have been free from robbing.  Good luck!

[MeadFarm]

From another newbee,
I too had this happen but with a top feeder. I unwittingly put the inner cover on top of my top feeder with an open vent. The neighboring hives went in through the vent and what seemed like hundreds of bees drowned! Huge bummer. I learned not to put the inner covers on a top feeder with out screened vents!
I would suggest getting rid of the boardman feeders immediately! In addition to promoting robbing they are small and need to be refilled frequently and they are exposed to the sun and other critters that like sweets.
Invest in a top feeder, a frame feeder or if you are on a budget, do the old ziplock bag with a slit in it. You can look up posts here on the forum about feeders and the possibilities are endless!!
Stop the robbing right away though.
Good luck!

[Kathyp]

glass jars, the bigger the better, with some small holes in the lid.  put them over the hole in the inner cover.  put empty box over that with lid.  

do not raise the jar so that there is a gap between inner cover and jar.  you want the jar to cover the hole so that robbers will not be tempted.

[Mamichi]

Thanks, everyone. After that first reply, I found a feeder comparison that someone had written and learned that the entrance feeder rates the lowest as far as robbing is concerned. I had no idea, and think it's pretty silly that a beginner hive kit package would set someone up to have a robbing problem from the get-go. Oh well. Live and learn.

We set up the inverted glass mason jar on the inner cover today. However, I had read to prop it up a little from the inner cover and that's what we did. I guess we could easily set it directly on the inner cover if necessary.

Thanks, everyone!

[AllenF]

Use entrance reducers until you hives are strong to keep the robbers at bay inside the hive when feeding also.