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Author Topic: Entrance opening......  (Read 3391 times)

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Offline Spanosilvio

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Entrance opening......
« on: June 30, 2014, 08:37:32 am »
I follow this forum for quite some months, i build my hive this winter and now, finally my nuck arrive.
I live in Toronto, Canada, here the past winter is being very cold and long, that's why i got my nuck so late.
So my question is, how open i should leave the entrance? Considering that i transfer the bees this Wednesday, they're not that many, but the temperature here is quite warm, around 26/29, my opening now is at the smallest option.
If you think i should open more, can i do it before my first inspection (planned for next sunday, not tomorrow).
Thanks for your time.

Silvio Spano

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Offline riverbee

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2014, 11:43:43 am »
i would open it to the next larger opening silvio.

as a general guideline, open/close down the e/r according to the traffic coming and going from the entrance......if you see a traffic jam at the front door open it more.

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Offline Woody Roberts

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2014, 12:16:22 pm »
Like Mrs River said. I want the opening full of bees but with traffic flowing. If there are gaps in the bees they will be robbed out as soon as there's a dearth.
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Offline tbonekel

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2014, 12:27:00 pm »
I have a couple of nucs that have only one size opening, kinda small. Could it be said that if there is a traffic jam at the entrance to this type of box, that is a good indication of having to place the colony in a full size deep? I was looking at them yesterday and going back and forth on when I needed to give them more room.
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Offline robo

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2014, 12:45:16 pm »
Feral colonies manage just fine with a very small entrance (compared to a Langstroth).   Larger openings leave them prone to robbing.   I would err on the side of small until they get stronger.   I have many double deeps with only a 4" x 3/8" entrance.
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Offline Spanosilvio

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2014, 01:03:50 pm »
Ok, thanks guys, i'll give them more room to go in and out

Silvio Spano

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Offline apisbees

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Re: Entrance opening......
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2014, 08:49:12 pm »
As a maximum size that the entrance should ever be. The maximum width should not be any wider than the number of frames the bees are covering in the hive. a safer size is the number of frames that have a good solid brood area in them. But Rob is right if it is to small the bees will chew on the opening sides to enlarge it. If you see this open it up a little.
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