Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association - Robber guards and drones

2 Oct 2022 11:50 AM

Quote

Message # 12939720

Anonymous member

I am currently feeding my colonies and have robber guards on the hive entrances. The colonies will be divesting of drones and these screens keep the girls from ejecting the drones. Should I remove the screens or take them off and see if there is a build up of dead bees behind them? Hives are 8 frame and each colony has the top deep with 8 frames of capped honey. Should I continue to feed?

1 file

3 Oct 2022 8:40 AM

Quote

Reply # 12940680 on 12939720

Anonymous member (Administrator)

Your pic is tight I can't see your hive setup.

I am over-wintering in a 2 box brood setup (a deep and a medium), with an R10 insulated lid and solid bottom boards. I am feeding to keep the mediums full going into winter.

I have not had to use a robber screen this year.

https://i.ibb.co/P6x5HvJ/20220929-084312.jpg

The reduced entrance sizes I am using this year have eliminated robbing it seems. They have no problems dragging out the drones or clearing any carcasses. I have found it best if the bees don't have to lift anything they remove from the hive. I have all my entrances even with the hive floor and level or sloping away from the hive.

How much honey have they put away? Hive weight? (tip the back side to feel the weight) They will need between 50 and 150 pounds of honey to overwinter depending on genetics, weather, hive condition/setup and colony size.

You can feed syrup until the weather turns, when the syrup gets cold they won't take it. After that you can feed fondant or dry sugar if needed.

Last modified: 3 Oct 2022 8:49 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

3 Oct 2022 8:44 AM

Quote

Reply # 12940683 on 12939720

Anonymous member (Administrator)

Great questions. Yes, I would periodically remove those robber screens and use a hive tool or other long flat implement to sweep out the floor under the colony to keep dead bodies from building up. I do this periodic clean up all winter long as well to help ensure bees can come and go when weather permits. If the bees are taking the food you are offering, I would continue to feed. Hopefully you are feeding 2:1 syrup and you can continue to do that until daytime temps no longer reach 50+ degrees.