Wasps going into the hive

[Pete Nicholson]

Was watching the ladies this morning as I have a wasp problem. My traps do not seem to be working - the little bu**ers are after the bees not any sweet substitute.
Saw a couple of wasps dive straight into the hive (no entrance block fitted as just like a waterfall of bees coming in and out) and NO ACTION SEEMED TO BE TAKEN by the guards. I would have expected that they would have balled them asap but did not happen.
QUESTION:- can wasps acquire the smell of the hive and thus get free entrance?
Another question: - what can i do about it: ........all help greatfully received.
P.

 

[kazmcc]

I would put the narrower on asap. They might bunch at first getting in and out but they'll soon sort it out. Ours has been on the whole summer pretty much as we had a nest behind the hive that took a while to shift...long story. There will be guards there but they sneak past with the size of the entrance. Some colonies are more active in their defense of the entrance than others, and last year at the height of wasp season, ours would ball round a wasp while two more snuck by the melee before the narrower was put in.

Stick the narrower on, give the bees a chance to defend.

I don't know about wasps aquiring the smell, although I doubt it.

 

[plumberman]

Despite the large numbers going in and out, I'd certainly reduce the entrance.

Don't necessarily be too paranoid- the wasps may be gaining entry, but the chances are they are being dealt with. Have a look at the ground in front of the hive entrance: you may see wasp corpses that are the evidence that the colony is coping.

Wasps leaving the hive unmolested is a different matter.

 

[Max]

Reduce the enterence, my hives have been on small enterences all year, never had a problem, they sort themselves out and the honey yield this year has been more than ever.

It's the robbing season now and you need to give the guard bees a little help, so reduce the enterence to a couple of inches at most.

 

[darren64]

I have a lot of wasps around my hives,but they only seem interested in the dead bees and evicted drones,I haven't seen any trying to get in the hives,I have the entrances reduced on the 2 smaller colonies but I think my largest colony is too strong for any wasps to get through.I have added some photos of wasps attacking the drones in my picture albums

 

[Pete Nicholson]

Thanks everyone - really appreciate the quick responses - will pop a block in both hives tonight and see what happens tomorrow.
best regards
P.

 

[kazmcc]

Thanks everyone - really appreciate the quick responses - will pop a block in both hives tonight and see what happens tomorrow.
best regards
P.

Don't worry if it looks like there is crowding at first, they will soon settle and sort themselves out. It will take them a day or so to get used to.

Good luck

 

[Bee-Key-Pur]

I have read that by reducing the entrance and placing a thin strip of glass on the landing board to about an 25mm above the entrance block, the wasps can't work out how to get in, even though they can see the entrance through the glass.
However the bees soon work out how to enter around the ends of the strip of glass...

Brian

 

[kazmcc]

I have read that by reducing the entrance and placing a thin strip of glass on the landing board to about an 25mm above the entrance block, the wasps can't work out how to get in, even though they can see the entrance through the glass.
However the bees soon work out how to enter around the ends of the strip of glass...

Brian

One of the forum members designed a guard that works on the same principles I think. I've tried to search for it, but I'm rubbish at searching. Someone else with a better memory than me may be able to tell you who it is and where to find it

 

[Pete Nicholson]

what a cool idea - may try it next year when I am slightly less than novice status. Cheers, P.

 

[TOBY-3652]

Find the nest and destroy i did 4 last week and another 2 tonight

 

[Pete Nicholson]

When I worked as a student for MAFF we destroyed nests with cyanide cartridges - can you still get them or are they banned now ?
What is the best way to kill a wasp nest if you can find it?
Cheers
P.

 

[TOBY-3652]

Ant powder containing bendiocarb straight in the hole 100% kill

 

[Pete Nicholson]

Cheers Toby.

 

[The Riviera Kid]

I noticed wasps around one of my hives today as well. The entrance blocks have been in for a week or so now and I hoped that all would be well. They seem to be hanging around what I consider to be the strongest colony out of the three in the apiary.

More worryingly though was that the guard bees weren't scrapping with wasps who, in spite of all their buzzing, were not really making much of an effort to get in.

Sadly the guards were battling other bees

I have got a bad feeling about this...

 

[richardbees]

The sloping glass strip...that may have been me!

wasps are just now changing their diet from protein to feed their grubs to sugary stuff because it tastes nice.

the minute you see wasps zig-zaging in front of the entrance - close it right down to a small enough opening that the bees can cope with.

Also put out wasp traps

 

[darren64]

 

[darren64]

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[Pete Nicholson]

Thanks for all your comments Guys: - seems it may be a common problem at the moment. Richardbees :- hope my traps start to work!
Again many thanks everyone for all your views - really do feel this forum is a great help to us newbees. Will keep posted on results.
Cheers,
P.

 

[BBG]

I noticed wasps around one of my hives today as well. The entrance blocks have been in for a week or so now and I hoped that all would be well. They seem to be hanging around what I consider to be the strongest colony out of the three in the apiary.

More worryingly though was that the guard bees weren't scrapping with wasps who, in spite of all their buzzing, were not really making much of an effort to get in.

Sadly the guards were battling other bees

I have got a bad feeling about this...

We went through all today and in three hives found b..... wasps flying in and diving into a comb to feed. We cut them in half with the hive tool where they were feeding.

Did see a bee attack a wasp the way a dog goes for another dog or person because they have invaded its space.

Also noticed 'bar room brawls' between bees at each hive after we had finished inspecting.