Swarming is very unlikely on Sunday morning, October 6th in PA.This morning there are lots of bees on the corner entrance, very aggressive, some fighting is clearly visible. You can hear the buzzing from some distance. Is this robbing? Swarming? Something else? I haven't see this before.
Many thanks!
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Yeah! I missed that. Good catch oldtimer.What is it between the box and the bottom board?
You may also want to make or buy some robber screens.Many many thanks for the feedback. I've reduced the entrance to just the minimum, can already see things getting calmer. Thanks!!
If tomorrow's forecast is cold, I would not worry about this.Hi,
Looks like they are back at it (new pics). I narrowed the opening the last time around, and now I am on day 2 with a tons of bees trying to get in, loud hive, etc. I hope there is still something left!
@billboard - when you say "close up all the entrances" you mean literally so they can't get in or out? Won't that hurt them?
Many Thanks!
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Check down the entrance, swap places with a strong colony, and reorient. People get student loans to pay for less valuable education.Usually once robbing in earnest has begun its because of hive weakness and its just too late to do much about it.
The times I've figured its worth a try I will open the hive briefly and give it a good smoke which will evacuate most of the robbers. Then change the entrance orientation by turning the hive 90 or 180 degrees and severely checking down the entrance. I've had success as well by switching in the hive with a strong hive for an hour or so. Its kind of fun to watch the entrance of the strong hive immediately bristle and repel the robbers. After the robbing subsides then switch them back, severely check the entrance and watch it closely for any resumption.