I think the BEES like the upper entrance better.
Bees entering top hole vs entrance?
As my bees began emerging after Winter they exit & enter from the hole in the top board vs main entrance. Anyone heard of this & how I can correct it? Thanks.....
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
In my experience single box or young hives use the top entrance hole more often and sometimes almost exclusively for some reason. Once they orient to the hole they will use it until they die. 2 box hives pretty much use the lower entrance.
you can correct by putting #8 mesh over hole. not a big deal
you can correct by putting #8 mesh over hole. not a big deal
I don't think there is anything to correct. You can always reverse your hive bodies if the bees are entirely in the top box and you want to force them down to the bottom. Some maintain reversing is a poor man's method of swarm control. (this presumes your brood chamber consists of two hives bodies which it may not in TN)
My bees have both the regular entrance below the deep brood nests and an upper hole on top of the highest box. Of the three, one hive is almost exclusively (and has been since it was hived a nearly a year ago) top-entrance users. The other two are more adaptable - the largest one, now three deeps and three mediums (and about to get split) uses both of the entrances almost evenly. And the third one is predomintly "normal" and rarely do I see bees going in the upper entrance hole. And that is stable whether there is brood chamber in the upper or lower deep.
It seems silly to me to haul all the nectar and pollen through the congested brood area, but I guess the bees know what they are doing. I see no problem having both entrances available to them and letting them use which ever one they like. The only issue arises during robbing season when I must make sure to have screens on each entrance or screen off the rarely used one on the hive that only uses the lower entrance. To protect the upper entrances on the other two I use small nuc-sized robber screens I get from Betterbee.
Enj.
It seems silly to me to haul all the nectar and pollen through the congested brood area, but I guess the bees know what they are doing. I see no problem having both entrances available to them and letting them use which ever one they like. The only issue arises during robbing season when I must make sure to have screens on each entrance or screen off the rarely used one on the hive that only uses the lower entrance. To protect the upper entrances on the other two I use small nuc-sized robber screens I get from Betterbee.
Enj.
I agree with Andrew. I have a 4-box hive with bottom, middle and top entrance. All 3 are in use.I don't think there is anything to correct. You can always reverse your hive bodies if the bees are entirely in the top box and you want to force them down to the bottom. Some maintain reversing is a poor man's method of swarm control. (this presumes your brood chamber consists of two hives bodies which it may not in TN)
Phil
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Beesource Beekeeping Forums
A forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, honey production, health, behavior, hives, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
