Is robbing a risk at this time of year?

[TryingToLetThemBee]

So my main colony is going like a train, filling in the last few frames of foundation in the lower brood box (I had no hope of getting it back to one, as I had been planning).

I am introducing a nuc (also Buckfasts, from the same source). I am going to be away for a week. Is it safe to introduce the nuc before then, or is robbing a material risk? I'd hate to pay all that money for an emply box.

I thought I'd put up a robbing screen anyway, but, as per title, is robbing a risk when forage is good? The "senior" colony has masses of stores and pollen is pouring in.

 

[Goran]

We have some steady flow, I work all day in hives, opening, taking frames, leaving frames in box out of the hives - no any sign of robbing.. Carnies.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Thanks Goran.

 

[Bates]

Normally not a problem this early in the year. They didnt start sniffing about till about July last year in some cases.

 

[biglongdarren]

I had a hive that didn't make it through the winter and they were getting robbed out a month ago on any good day that was.
Darren

 

[Midland Beek]

You tend not to get robbing in a land of plenty - like it is now. If you have good sources of forage nearby - like a few acres of OSR - do not leave that nuc alone in a nuc box because it might very quickly become too small, and by the time you come back you might have queen cells.

If you decide to put the nuc in a brood box keep the entrance smallish and do not locate the nuc away from the entrance. The nuc has to be able to defend their entrance, and as such it has to be nearby.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

All great advice; thanks. Midland Beek; yes that's the other side of the story. Top tip about locating the existing frames centrally if I do rehive immediately.

 

[Heather]

Just a little note to new bee keepers.. NEVER leave a frame of food 'out' as bees will ALL rob. From every vicinity... and your bees may be healthy, but how about those near that you are unaware of. The spread of disease is so easy then. Tidy up as you go.

 

[Ely]

Just a little note to new bee keepers.. NEVER leave a frame of food 'out' as bees will ALL rob. From every vicinity... and your bees may be healthy, but how about those near that you are unaware of. The spread of disease is so easy then. Tidy up as you go.

Good advice as always. I've often wondered though. Don't bees share just about everything wherever they go with other bees and various other insects? Just think of all the shared pollen and nectar sources. Is there a difference I should be aware of between that and supers placef in an apiary for them to clean up? It is common practice for many.