Hi Jim & All,

> But reducing entrances is the key.  A weaker colony near such a
> monster is easy pickings when fall comes and a bee's tiny little
> mind turns to criminal behavior.  The weaker colony needs the
> smallest entrance possible, just to give them a chance of defending
> their stores.
>

I use masking tape over the entrance of a colony being robbed to reduce it
and to prevent robbing in the spring on all the colonies. When they start
flying in the spring, I bring out the tape. I put a piece of masking tape
over the entrance and cut a one bee size hole in it, the bees chew out the
entrance to suit themselves according to the strength of the colony. even
though the tape is sticky, it's a slick way to reduce an entrance when
robbing starts.
   . ..
c(((([
Keith Malone
Chugiak, Alaska USA
Caucasian Bee Keeper
http://takeoff.to/alaskahoney

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