Odd Beehavior

MeadFarm · July 02, 2010, 03:14:22 PM

I just happened to glance out the garage window at the apiary and saw bees flying all around the back and sides of the hives. Usually they just head straight out and back again. They are also clustering around the seams between the boxes seemingly trying to get in. More on one hive in particular but on others as well. The hive most of them seem to be on should have and emerging (or recently emerged) queen if that means anything... There doesn't appear to be any robbing signs at the entrances.
I'm hesitant to do my inspection with this happening.
What could be going on?

John Schwartz · July 02, 2010, 03:16:13 PM

Sounds like robbing going on. I would be closing down entrances to bare minimum.

MeadFarm · July 02, 2010, 03:40:49 PM

That was my initial thought but the entrance on the hive in question is already reduced and looks like normal activity. I can't think of what else it would be though. Is there anything else I should do?

Hethen57 · July 02, 2010, 04:00:16 PM

You probably know this, but the reason this behaviour sounds like robbing is because the robbers don't seem to know where the front door is (indicating they are not oriented to this hive)...they are merely guided by the hive smells that are coming out of cracks and seems. If it is robbing, they will eventually key on the front door and begin raiding.

MeadFarm · July 02, 2010, 04:08:06 PM

The question remains...what to do?? Should I let this smaller colony defend itself with the smallest entrance or should I throw a wet towel over the hive? If yes to the latter for how long?

iddee · July 02, 2010, 04:25:53 PM

Close it down now. Then build and install a robber screen.

John Schwartz · July 02, 2010, 04:30:38 PM

Quote from: MeadFarm on July 02, 2010, 04:08:06 PM
The question remains...what to do?? Should I let this smaller colony defend itself with the smallest entrance or should I throw a wet towel over the hive? If yes to the latter for how long?

There's lots of variables that are a learned thing... is the hive on it's way down/sick/poor queen? Is it a new colony that's guarding too much space? Are you feeding outside/near the hive? Are you feeding inside the hive? Is there a dearth currently in your area? As you can see, lots to think through and learn depending on the colony's size, health, weather/forage conditions, etc.

Like mentioned, it's good to play it safe and close it up with screen until robbers leave/nite comes. Then, I'd be assessing *why* my colony is getting robbed. For me, it's usually because it's a weak or newly hived colony defending too much space.

A side note -- I've begun to worry less about robbing. It's usually my own bees who are gonna deposit the honey from the weak to a stronger hive which is ok by me. I don't try and prop up weak hives. I either combine them (if no sickness) or let them run their course, good or bad.

annette · July 02, 2010, 05:17:21 PM

I close the hive down to the size of 1 bee. Then I place a robbing screen on the front (I have one that allows the inside bees to get out, but the robbers cannot get in) and then I throw a wet sheet over the hive down to the ground that totally stops this activity.

Hethen57 · July 02, 2010, 05:55:09 PM

I had this happen last summer, the robber screen doesn't have to be very elaborate....I just stapled some screen to a small block of wood and put it across the front of the reduced entrance...I left mine at 3-4 inches since it was so hot. If it is real hot and you reduce the entrance, you may want to create some ventilation somehow, whether it's opening the SBB or putting a sheet of screen material over the inner cover, or even as a cover, and then an empty super and a propped up lid to create an "attic" to allow heat to escape.

MeadFarm · July 02, 2010, 06:04:56 PM

AAAAG! What's a robber screen!? Run around in circles waving my arms wildly in the air!
OK I've calmed down, found a robber screen online and made one. Whew! I'm not sure what set that off. I'm hoping there isn't a dearth in the area...?
Does everyone elses robber screen have a "secret" entrance? What if the secret gets out and robbing begins again?

annette · July 03, 2010, 12:17:33 AM

Apparently the robber bees cant figure out where the entrance is, but the bees that live there know how to get in and out. Has something to do with how the robber bees fly.

lisascenic · July 03, 2010, 12:29:36 AM

Quote from: MeadFarm on July 02, 2010, 06:04:56 PM
AAAAG! What's a robber screen!? Run around in circles waving my arms wildly in the air!

I'm glad you're keeping your sense of humor, and that you can type *and* run around flapping your arms!

Nicely done.