Robbing?

[BernardBlack]

Noticed a bit of uncapping of honey stores in super. Look a bit like when the birds used to pick at the foil on milk bottles. Not loads uncapped, just the odd few cells and a couple of areas 15/20 cells.

Noticed this today, and similar (but slightly less) at last weeks inspection. Entrance block has been up 3 /4 weeks.

Wasn't sure if this was just the colony using up it's stores, or if robbing is taking place.

 

[pargyle]

Noticed a bit of uncapping of honey stores in super. Look a bit like when the birds used to pick at the foil on milk bottles. Not loads uncapped, just the odd few cells and a couple of areas 15/20 cells.

Noticed this today, and similar (but slightly less) at last weeks inspection. Entrance block has been up 3 /4 weeks.

Wasn't sure if this was just the colony using up it's stores, or if robbing is taking place.

It would not be that few cells if it was robbing ... once robbing starts, if the colony can't overcome the invaders, a colony intent on robbing out a hive can empty ... I mean EMPTY a super in less than a day ... bloody amazing to see it happen. They will empty any stores in the brood box as well ... but it will only be un-noticeable if you have a weak colony who will just give up defending. If you have a fit colony of any reasonable size you will see death and destruction at the entrance.

So .. probably just moving stores around or possibly making space for the queen to lay near the top of the hive where it's warmer - tell me you haven't got a queen excluder in there under the super ?

 

[enrico]

I would be more concerned as to why you are needing to inspect at this time of the year. If you harm the queen that's it!
E

 

[BernardBlack]

It would not be that few cells if it was robbing ... once robbing starts, if the colony can't overcome the invaders, a colony intent on robbing out a hive can empty ... I mean EMPTY a super in less than a day ... bloody amazing to see it happen. They will empty any stores in the brood box as well ... but it will only be un-noticeable if you have a weak colony who will just give up defending. If you have a fit colony of any reasonable size you will see death and destruction at the entrance.

So .. probably just moving stores around or possibly making space for the queen to lay near the top of the hive where it's warmer - tell me you haven't got a queen excluder in there under the super ?

Wow! Didn't realise robbing could be that severe!

I have a good sized colony so should be plenty of defenders.

No, I don't have a Queen excluder in place.

 

[Millet]

I would be more concerned as to why you are needing to inspect at this time of the year. If you harm the queen that's it!
E

I agree but i'm anal at what i do and also paranoid, i have never inspected mine for the past 4/5wks and i do not intent to until spring late spring at that, all seems good at the entrance/inspection tray and weight so that will do for me.

 

[pargyle]

Wow! Didn't realise robbing could be that severe!

I have a good sized colony so should be plenty of defenders.

No, I don't have a Queen excluder in place.

In that case probably just making space for the queen to lay up the winter brood. If you are going to leave them on brood and a half over winter then it's time (as Millett says) to leave them be, check the weight of the hive and let them get on with their prep for winter. They will be propolising every little gap and a few places where there isn't a gap. They will build brace comb between the tops of the comb across the top of the hive and thoroughly stick the crown board down. Now is the time to let them get on with this ... feed if you have doubts about how much they have in the way of stores. Stick a slab of Kingspan under the roof - or better still two slbs. Close up any feeder holes in the crown board (there should not be any holes at any time anyway at the top of then hive !) Find a good book and satisfy your curiosity by watching any coming and going at the entrance.

Every time you open the hive you give them more work to do to repair the damage caused by what can only be curiosity at this time of the year.

 

[BernardBlack]

Points taken. Makes sense. Thanks.

Re: Kingspan. Any info on that?

 

[JWF]

Kingspan is an insulating sheet. There are other makes available too.

https://www.kingspan.com/gb/en-gb/products/insulation/insulation-boards/therma/thermapitch-tp10

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Celotex-50mm-High-Performance-Insulation-Board-1200-x-2400mm/p/190544

http://www.insulation4less.co.uk/50mm-euorthane-gp-2-4m-x-1-2m

All my roots are fitted with 50mm of recticel which I leave in all year round.

 

[Millet]

Points taken. Makes sense. Thanks.

Re: Kingspan. Any info on that?

Depending on what collateral you have and if you are on National footprint Buy an Abelo poly roof, i have bought several and i will not complain about them, they also have no vents which can only be a good thing.

 

[Heather]

Suspect robbing?.. shake a little flour onto the bees you think are hovering looking for an entrance and see if same bees return to another hive..