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Author Topic: Is my hive doing the robbing?  (Read 945 times)

Offline Charles Wright

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Is my hive doing the robbing?
« on: April 11, 2023, 01:10:26 pm »
Hello everyone.  I have 2 hives that are side by side. One of them didn't survive winter. There was still some sugar, nectar and bee bread left. A little honey. Now the empty hive is being robbed. Would it be my hive right next door to it that's raiding it or is it more likely to be a far off hive? And if it is a far off hive, should I stay out of my surviving hive until it quitens down? Thanks in advance for your time. 
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Offline Robo

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2023, 01:13:09 pm »
Could be either or both.   Most likely the hive next to it though.
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Offline The15thMember

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2023, 01:27:38 pm »
As Rob mentioned, any colony within 3 miles or so could have found it, but the hive next door would probably be first to do so.  This is why it's recommended to clean out dead hives as soon as you notice them, because they will quickly be robbed when the weather is warm enough, and bees going into other hives to rob is a primary way diseases and pests are spread.  Just keep the entrance on your surviving hive small for now, in case there are robbers from other hives alerted to your apiary.  Whether it's your hive or not, removing the deadout will stop the robbing and quiet everything down so you can inspect. 
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Offline Robo

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2023, 02:03:36 pm »
Quote from: The15thMember on April 11, 2023, 01:27:38 pm
Just keep the entrance on your surviving hive small for now, in case there are robbers from other hives alerted to your apiary. 

Don't overlook this excellent advise.   It is so much easier to prevent robbing than to stop it.  Robbing can also happen quickly and devastate a hive.  Traditional Langsrtoth hive have way too big of an entrance.   Congestion at the entrance really does not hinder the bees that much, especially when weighed against the possibility and damage from robbing.
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Offline iddee

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2023, 02:49:35 pm »
Move the empty hive away from the live hive, NOW!!
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Offline Charles Wright

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2023, 03:28:28 pm »
OK. Thanks yall.  I'll move it and clean it out. Thanks a bunch.
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Offline Ben Framed

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2023, 10:51:07 pm »
Charles I have found robbers from a next door hive in the past.

Phillip
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2023, 06:45:56 am »
If you sprinkle flour onto the robbers you will quickly see where they return to.  Use colored chalk (for a chalk box) if you like and it will be more obvious.
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Offline Ben Framed

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Re: Is my hive doing the robbing?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2023, 08:21:56 am »
Great idea!
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