Robbing is a syndrome that requires a break point as intervention. I
agree with all that has been said. I would add that in hive feeders go a
long way in preventing robbing but you will still see some rich taking
from the poor. I have fed 2-3 gallons to a not necessarily weak or
queenless hive and found them not much heavier than when started.
The only other suggestion is something you specifically mentioned was not
a preferred option and that is a move. Perhaps you could do a bit of
moving about within your apiary. This could be swapping strong with weak
or outright moving the strong ones to a new spot (they will find a home if
hives are in the near proximity). This goes against everything taught
about moving bees a certain distance but a mixup is just like a move in
causing the bees to reorient.
But, with this the source from which they were robbing must be secured
(covered in previous post). The move is the stop gap for the syndrome.
Bob Nelson
Norfolk, NE
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