In a message dated 5/10/99 11:27:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > Though she had a lot of > bees flying in and out of the hive, they were evidently robbers > because when we opened the hive, there were no eggs, larva, or bees > working the frames. There were some dead bees on the frames and a > lot of honey. > > My question is when we get ready to install a new group of bees, how > can we stop the robbers to help the new bees get settled? First you need to stop the robbing. Plug the hive up tight, or put it into a place not accessible by bees. After a few days, the robbers will forget about it. Remember, they are creatures of habit. As long as they are getting goodies, you are reinforcing the habit. When you install new bees, give them back the honey (making sure there is no foulbrood scale in the hive), and also making sure they have a very small entrance, so they can defend themselves. If you redo the hive soon, it would be a good idea to put it in a new location, so they won't be bothered by old bees that remember the honey. After a couple days, the new hive will be organized and capable of defending itself. Then you can open up the entrance to regular size. [log in to unmask] Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA The Pollination Scene: http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html The Pollination Home Page: http://www.pollinator.com Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles) http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm