robbing and getting into the hive?

Kathyp · September 22, 2006, 04:52:10 PM

i really need to get into my hive. i need to do it today. when i went out, there was some robbing going on and they were nuts.

anyone have a good ideas? can i use the fume board stuff to keep them off me? :lol: it stinks, but so does getting stung!

i'm sure there is a simple answer, but i am missing it.

Jerrymac · September 22, 2006, 05:40:42 PM

What? No beesuit?

Kathyp · September 22, 2006, 10:56:17 PM

no. i can't stand hot clothes.

as it turned out, i didn't have a problem. i put a couple of drops of the smelly stuff on my gloves and smoked them good. got everything done and didn't get stung. had to work fast. lots of robbers and more as soon as i opened the hive.

they have a huge amount of honey. i think they are in good shape to go into the winter.

Michael Bush · September 23, 2006, 03:38:39 PM

First you need to stop the robbing. Robber screens. Reduced entrances. Something.

Kathyp · September 23, 2006, 04:58:37 PM

i have done. i don't think the robbing is to successful, but they are persistent in their efforts.

we have a huge number of yellow jackets in our area. in fact, i just scared up a nest with the tractor. funny how you can forget how to shift when you are trying to run for your life! nasty buggers.

Brian D. Bray · September 23, 2006, 06:53:55 PM

I've looked around my 1.2 acres and have counted more than 30 yellowjacket nests--even in the empty spaces in concrete blocks. They've been prevelent this year. The wind fall fruit in the orchard (where my bees are) are keeping the critters out of my hives along with most other things.
Mice are bad this year too. I've caught 7 in the chicken pen along in the last two weeks. I use a ive trap so as not the harm the hens. I dispatch the varmits with a well placed round from one of my pellet guns. Good target practice.

Kathyp · September 23, 2006, 07:53:31 PM

i dump the whole trap in the water trough. i only use the live traps in the barn where i think the cats will get into them. bacon is the best bait, but the cats have a fondness for it also.

my husband thinks it's great fun to turn the mice loose for the cats to chase, but i find that to be counterproductive....