Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: WantToBeeLady on June 25, 2016, 10:30:13 pm

Title: When to change the entrance reduced
Post by: WantToBeeLady on June 25, 2016, 10:30:13 pm

How long do I keep the ER on the small side for this new hive?  Things seem crowded around this smaller opening, however there's still plenty of traffic. Any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Title: Re: When to change the entrance reduced
Post by: Ray on June 25, 2016, 11:00:24 pm

If you feel the bees need a bigger entrance, give them one. I have several hives that use a non-stock entrance reducer.  They are scrap pieces of wood that block part of the entrance, some cover half, some more and some less.

Title: Re: When to change the entrance reduced
Post by: iddee on June 25, 2016, 11:50:41 pm

When crowded, adjust. Keep the traffic flowing evenly. No bees bumping others, nor a large area not being used.

Title: Re: When to change the entrance reduced
Post by: apisbees on June 26, 2016, 05:46:02 am

My rule on entrance size is not to go any wider than the width of the frames containing brood