Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[dubluvva]

I closed my three entrances down to a half for the winter, and recently removed the half cork as there was a real bottleneck. My question is when do I open the other two and do I open them both at once or stagger it?

[catchercradle]

Unless there is a bottleneck, I would leave it. Of course if you do open up a second one you can label them, "Entrance" and, "Exit" - problem solved!

[dubluvva]

Well I tried that, but I clearly have a mutinous strain of bees! Seriously though, surely there is a 'right' time to open the entrances?

[Kdxzoom]

Our dandelions just started blooming, so I am going to do some work in my hive this week (remove cross comb, add bars and such). I plan to open the entrance then. I believe they will close it off with propolis if they want it smaller and open it as needed also. Just make sure your hive is strong and able to defend itself, watching for robbing if you have honey still in your hive.

[rmcpb]

When you have a traffic jam then open another entrance. There is no real time as each location will be different so observe your hive and respond to the need when its needed would be my advice.

Cheers
Rob.

[dubluvva]

Thanks for the advice, I have two open now and will open the third when they are clambering over each other!