Ruthie in the last 2 decades I haven't used robber screens ever. Production, winter nucs, and mating nuc could all be in the same yard with almost never an issue. After adding buckfast, robbing increased where the mating nucs are sometimes demolished. I hate robbing in my bees. I have tried for years to maintain very low robbing. I'm certain with italian bees thing would be out of control. No italian bees here for 30 years. The buckfast line were great bees. I wouldn't have crossed them into my stock if they were not great bees. Brood= awesome. Honey production= excellent. Mite resistance = poor. I could almost complete ignore robbing except for harvest. Now I have to pay attention. I'll PM you the breeder. He is a great breeder. I would never discredit or ruin his reputation. It just I personally have a low tolerance for robbing behavior. Most would consider it well below normal.