reducer bar

[zzzzzzzzpr]

im new to the Langston hive. I set up 2 hives and the bees are coming and going. its almost like a traffic jam. I have it set up with the small hole. I was wondering 4 days at a new hive if I should set it up with the bigger hole for a few months then take it out completely. any suggestions?

[iddee]

Yes, let them have more space to go in. How much? Enough that the traffic is flowing smoothly.

[Wolfer]

I don't use a regular reducer. I use a small strip about 3/4" square with a couple finish nails beside it. This lets me slide it sideways to open or close the entrance.

I adjust it to where the opening is full of bees but traffic is not stalled. By keeping the opening full of bees I don't have any robbing issues anymore.

Winter and early spring the crack may only be 1" long. It takes a pretty strong hive in a flow to need more than 4".
Need to add. I run IPK bottoms and there's enough room in height of the crack for incoming bees to walk in and outgoing bees come out the top edge. Like a two lane hi way.

[jayj200]

My hives down here have never been orderly. so many come and go at the same time they always crash into one another. Most of the time we use no entrance reducer. Now only when feeding.
this hive is now booming.
and even the weaker one today was under orientation flight rules. every bee for herself.
Dang daybreak to dark they are booming

jay

I like to brag about them.