Robbing? Or rookie mistake

[MikieJ]

I installed two NUCs one on 5/16, the other on 6/3. They are situated next to each other approximately one foot between them. This morning everything seemed fine, but around noon when I went back to check on them and perform a weekly hive inspection I found approximately 30 dead bees on the ground near hive #1 and wrestling going on. the bees were clearly agitated. I immediately went into panic mood (suspecting robbing). I immediately removed the boardman feeder and reduced the opening. I also inspected both hives and everything seemed to be ok. No uncapped honey and normal work activity inside. Things seemed to calm down which I suspected was a result of the smoking. so I let them be. I just checked again 6 hours later and found 8 new dead bees but normal hive activity. Normal landings and takeoffs, no wrestling. Is this really robbing or is it possible that the hives are too close together and the dead bees are errant hive #2 bees that tried to get into the wrong hive?

 

[Anduril]

One foot is too close together. If everything is back to normal, then I would say it was just a case of drifting. Move them to three feet apart, keep the entrances reduced and monitor their activity.

 

[user 6228]

You need the hives at least the distance of two orientation loops apart. So that on even a calm day a bee on a aborted landing and go around finds the right hive. honeybees evolved its behavours for distances apart in the 100s of metres

 

[colinc]

Or point hive entrances in opposite directions might be easier


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[MikieJ]

Thank u all for your input...I will try moving them further apart..I'm sliding them over one foot apart and watching what happens. I thought that might be an issue but the breeder I got them from had his hives that close together so I didn't think it would be a problem. ...