how long to keep entrance reduced?

[tlynn]

I split my first hive 2 weeks ago and have the entrance blocked with about 3 inches open.  Hive is building up fast.  Queen's laying well, lots eggs, larvae, capped brood, lots of orientation flights.  Volume of arrivals and departures is still a fraction of the donor hive but picking up daily.  I notice a few bees that don't seem like they belong, like they fly to the entrance, hover, attempt to land, hover some more, then fly off.  This isn't during orientation time and I have traced one or 2 back to the other hive.  How much longer should I leave the reducer in place?  It's hot and I am just a bit concerned for ventilation, but I want to prevent robbing if it's still a possibility. Thanks...

[bassman1977]

How big is the hive in terms of a brood box?  If it's about the size of a 3 lbs package, I wouldn't have any problem with taking the reducer off.

[tlynn]

If I open the hive maybe 1/3 of the top bars have bees walking around on them and with the exception of the honey frames the brood frames are just about solid bees.

[TwT]

when the entrance become real congested then open it larger or remove it, you just have to watch robbing when a hive is not up to population.