[bobbyisstrange]

Hello, I was wondering how important the entrance bar on the hive is...I went to check on my bees today and it seems it has been pushed out a little bit...is this something I should fix? How important is this bar?

 

[mathesonequip]

not important at all unless the hive is weak and needs some help to prevent robbing.

 

[wags]

The larger the entrance, the more bees will be required to guard it. I keep mine at a 4 - 5 inch opening, and this doesn't seem to jam up the bees at all. Later in summer I will reduce the entrance down to an inch or two, during the dearth - this is when other bees or wasps will try and rob.

 

[Michael Bush]

Sometimes the bees push it out if it's not wedged tightly. Sometimes skunks pull it out... look for scratches on the hive and piles of soggy bees. Those would indicate a skunk...