On 19 Oct 97 at 11:46, Frank & Phronsie Humphrey wrote:
 
> >I was much interested in the description, because with this long
> >dry spell we're having a lot of robbing.
> >
> >>These can be made with 3/4" x 3/4" stock.  1 piece it the width of
> >>the
> >hive
> >>opening and 2 pieces about 3" to 4" long.  Nail these together to
> >>form 3 sides of a box whose length is the width of the opening.
> >>Over this
> >staple
> >>1/8" hardware cloth or window screening,  leaving about a 3/4" gap
> >>at
> >the
> >>open side.
 
> Robber Screen Assy.
>                                  14" Wide
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I don't wish to demean what Frank & Phronsie are suggesting, but this
is a long winded method of closing down an entrance which is about
the only way to stop robbing.
        We use two pieces of wood, cut to fit the entrance to leave a 2 1/2
-3 inch by 3/8ths opening. Even a relatively small nuc will be able
to guard and prevent robbers.
        Prevention is even better!! Never leave a hive inner cover off for
too long, always use manipulation clothes, be extremely careful on
filling feeders. Queenless hives seem to draw robbers, possibly
because the bees are demoralised. Contrary to popular belief, I
believe that open barrel feeding encourages robbing, as the feeding
frenzy will carry on long after the sugar (or whatever) if finished.
 
 
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The Bee Works, 9 Progress Dr, Unit 2,
Orillia, Ontario, L3V 6H1
Phone/fax  705-326-7171
David Eyre, Owner.
http://www.muskoka.net/~beeworks
e-mail <[log in to unmask]>
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