Is this a robbing threat?

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

I have just seen my first wasp like creature being repelled twice from the front porch. Is this my signal to reduce the entrances? It appeared large and slim and very black looking, so I am assuming it was not a yellowjacket. It is still quite warm here, I have SBB and round head screws on inner cover for ventilation flow. What is the best to avoid robbing? Also am expecting a nectar flow from Silverberry in October, and the bees are still flying out. Would you reduce the entrance? Thanks Donna

[Michael Bush]

I'd reduce it anytime it doesn't create a traffic jam or a lack of ventilation.

[Tia]

Donna, sorry I missed your call. I only just now got in the door from my meetings today. If the girls are handling it and don't seem too upset by the interlopers, I wouldn't reduce the entrance just yet. If numbers of robbers increase or if the girls don't seem to be able to keep them out or if they get upset, then I'd put a reducer on--or better yet, hardware cloth that the girls can fit through but the wasps can't (I forget what size that is. Anyone?). That way you'll still be almost totally ventilated.

[Michael Bush]

The wasps will go through anything the bees will go through, I think. I've put 1/4" hardware cloth on and it seems to make it more defensible and keeps out the mice.

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

Thanks to you both. I have periodically watched and no further episode, at least while I was looking. I was very impressed with their handling of this wasp! Tommorrow temps will be 90 so I am holding off placing the reducer on. I had read that the hardware could force them to drop pollen, is 1/4 inch big enough? Thanks Donna

[iddee]

I don't know what you mean by hardware, but I use a wood reducer with a 3/8 inch high cutout. That gives the bees ample room to enter and is too small for mice to enter.

[Hillside]

I have a couple "L shaped" pieces of #8 hardware cloth that I have cut about 2 inches shorter than the full entrance. I can put one of these on the entrance so that there is still full ventilation, but the bees can only get in the two inches on the end. It's kind of a cheapo version of the robber screen that has often been mentioned on this board.

Some of the bees are confused by this for a while, but they pretty quickly learn where they can get in. The opening is reduced enough that they can more easily defend it.

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

Thanks Iddee and Hillside. I have wooden entrance reducers, but hesitated to put them on because of the heat and ventilation issues as well as expecting some nectar activity in a week or so from the silverberry eleagnus. I will put the reducers on for winter to keep the mice out, but also don't want anyone but me to rob any surplus honey! I did forget to mention my colonies do get shade during the hottest part of the day. If temps go down to the low 80's, I may go ahead and reduce just to be safe. Thanks everyone, Donna