2 Entrance Mistake?

[hoodswoods]

Book-read- only newbee runs a standard Langsworth hive here in Georgia with SBB - 90+ degrees & torrid humidity for weeks now. Started hive late April from 5-frame Italian nuc & somehow bees survived my ignorance & mistakes so far.

I've positioned hive that it hits sun about 9am and by @ 4pm is back in shade. My check 2day shows they are finally (after 1 month) building white capped comb into my into my top deep super.

They have been bearding extensively & so I incorporated a hive-top box vent in which I created a slotted top entrance.

Is it asking for trouble running 2 entrances (top & bottom)?

They have defended well the bottom entrance against robbing with only a few fights over an extended period of obsevation - should I expect the same tenacity if they have to now guard their top honey stores from direct access? I know I have to eventually worry about SHB, but right now, just trying to get the hive well-established.

Anyone running 2 entrances, and/or that experience?

[Ross]

I think most of us in the South are now using some type of top vent. I just prop the migratory top up with a twig. The bees use both for entrances. As long as the hive is reasonably strong, it should be ok. If you feeding, it might become a problem as you enter a dearth.

[hoodswoods]

Observation is a wonderful teacher, understanding is a better gift.

2 hours later, after installing top entrance, the bee-wars have begun, with frequent altercations at top entrance. Does anyone know if this will work itself out, once it is better defended? Or am I expecting them to defend too much territory and should close it up?

[Joseph Clemens]

Those aren't "bee wars", bee wars are where there are two inches or more of dead bees covering the ground in the vicinity of the apiary.

Presently we're in an almost complete dearth of nectar, yet most of my hives have multiple large entrances, so far, with only the occasional incidence of robbing. I do expect that this will change soon if our Summer rains do not provide the moisture necessary for a late Summer honeyflow.

[hoodswoods]

Thanks to you both, Ross & Joseph - skirmishes is more like it. It appears that the reserves have been called up and tho there continues forays and exploratory contacts, the guards are now very aggresive, thwarting any attempted landing near the new, top entrance.

I've designed this top vent box so I can close off the addit. entrance & still maintain circulation (and observation). If I don't see it being used in the gathering process over the next week, and it just remains as a sentry post, I'll probably close it up and relieve those brave soldiers for more important duty.

[Barry Digman]

I hived a late (for us) swarm yesterday. They found some of my gear in my carport and covered the sides. They aren't mine, as all mine are miles away. I got them all in except for the stragglers who insisted on covering one particular corner of the deep where the box joint is. Upon inspection today, it's clear that the joint is now an entrance, as it has two fingers missing which allows for a side entrance.

I'll leave it alone. If they don't want it or need it they'll propolize it shut. The outer cover is also propped open a little, and the regular entrance is wide open. They have already posted the normal contingent of guards around the front and the opening in the inner cover in addition to the side. No apparent problems.


I've never had a problem opening a hive up with a propped top and an upper entrance WHEN the population is strong and they're healthy. When things are rocking, they have the resources to handle it I think.

[tecumseh]

in my experience only on especailly weak hives.... most especially weak hives + to gappy equipment.

I would suspect if you had added a box of foundation or clean comb (ie not wet) at the top of the stack when you created the top entrance you would not have seen anything that looks like robbing (ie when there ain't nothin' to rob they don't rob).

[hoodswoods]

tecumseh, et al

I added my new (10 comb, undrawn plastic frames) deep super just about a month ago, which they have finally started to work within the last week + 10 days or so - white-capped comb finally appearing in the center frames, so there is definity something there now to rob.

It is crazy hot and humid here again today with no relief in sight. For the last 3 weeks or so, the bees were bearding quite heavily on the front of the hive - they're not bearding tonight, coinciding with me adding a pretty substantial top vent box with entrance earlier this afternoon - we'll see if it helps long term (not that bearding is necessarily a problem), I was just very much concerned with inadequate ventilation - even with proping up the outer cover. That little 2"x4" hole in the inner cover just wasn't doing it for me, but also I will have to see what other problems I could have introduced.

I watched the very interesting program on american experience - you're now over 300 years old - is it the honey and bee pollen?

[devdog108]

hey hoods, i have the the front top of mine propped open and they stopped bearding when i did it. It's 3/8's of a gap under the overhang I am just south of you. The sun hits my hive from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m./