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elderken
New Bee
Joined: 11 Aug 2014
Posts: 6
Location: USA, Arizona, Rimrock (Center of the state)
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 Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 1:01 am Post subject: How small a hive opening for a new, queenless, colony? |
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My queenless, cutout bees working brood comb and hopefully making queen cells are now 4 days in a 36" Top Bar hive box. They have a 1 3/8" round entrance on the lower part of the end of one side. Screen bottom. Being concerned about robbing, I'm thinking of reducing the entrance hole size. How small do you recommend?
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rmcpb
Scout Bee
Joined: 17 Jul 2011
Posts: 447
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 6:47 am Post subject: |
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Are they being robbed? If not then I would leave it alone.
Cheers
Rob. |
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biobee
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 1059
Location: UK, England, S. Devon
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| Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:43 am Post subject: |
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| I have a robbing problem in one apiary and entrances are down to half a cork, split lengthwise. It helps, but it's very hard to stop. |
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Smorning
Foraging Bee
Joined: 20 Aug 2013
Posts: 152
Location: Faversham Kent UK
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| Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Likewise hive was great two weeks ago now totally dry robbing bees are hard to discourage reduced entrances and fed unfortunately (with honey), hope they survive but it's looking 50:50 |
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imkeer
Foraging Bee
Joined: 03 Oct 2011
Posts: 203
Location: Belgium, Antwerpen, Schilde
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