let the robbing season begin

[danno]

Yesterday at lunch I found a colony in a line of 12 by my barn under full scale attach.  I went out there at dusk and removed there feeder took the mouse guard off, put the robber screen back on and  duct taped upper enterence.  They seem to holding there own but I dont know for how long.  Every crack is being looked at by the bad guys.   To heavy for me to move on my own. 

[AllenF]

Keep them closed up.   That is the best thing to do.  Leave a dime hole entrance for them.  What kind of feeder did you have and were you feeding all your hives?

[danno]

I use miller top feeders.   It had been on for a couple of days and was almost empty.   Most years I make Honey b healthy but didn't get around to it this year.  That stuff really gets the fighting started.  I loose a couple every Oct.  We had a couple of heavy frosts this past week so the goldenrod is finished.  About the only thing left is asters and robbing

[AliciaH]

I've got feeders on all my hives and if I miss checking them I can count on the bees to tell me when they are running out.  The have-nots are guaranteed to start robbing the still-haves!  Though I appreciate the communicative help, I really just wish they'd wave a flag! :)

[AllenF]

I am sure that the cold weather coming will put a stop to all this bad behavior.  :-D

[tecumseh]

the above is why I install robbing screens on all my small nucs.

most times it is the very well to do and robust hives that are robbing the poor and weak hives.

[Rodni73]

I have a similar situation here!

I placed the mouse guard on both of my hives. I attempted to feed them sugar in Miller feeder but they did not touch it! Each hive is trying to rob the other resulting in sporadic fights at the entrance and bad guys scouting the hives for any opening.  Cold weather will no doubt put an end to this behavior soon.


-Rodni

[backyard warrior]

I have 4 hives at my house right now. I have a hive top feeder set out for the bees they downed 3 gallons in one day.  I have carnolians and Italians. Im not really happy with the italians i probably wont buy them again.  All my carny hives had italians in front of the entrance reducers which were fighting with the Italians to keep them from robbing. I know u already know what im going to say!!!!   None of my Carnies where trying to rob the italians or other hives. How do i know this because my carnies are dark bees and the italians are golden colored.

[AllenF]

Now you know why Italians excel in honey production.

[Rodni73]

I would love to try Carny's but I have limited space in the sprawling suburbs where I live and hence Italians are my option despite the drawbacks.
I inspected them today and there were sporadic attempted robbing. Each hive had tons of nasty guards patrolling like hooligans checking and frisking every bee going in.  There were about 15 dead bees in front of the two hives some of them were robbers who were torn appart by guard bees.  On another note, there is nothing more interesting than observing a robber methodically checking a hive for any opening to rob some honey..I mean the whole behavior profile of the bee changes from that of a hard working worker to that of an insect possessed to get honey.



-Rodni

[Old Blue]

Sounds like "re distribution" of honey to me.
Sorry danno and Rodni73 - I couldn't help myself.

My only established hive sustained about 15 lbs worth of "redistribution" this week.

Old Blue