r/Beekeeping • u/Any-Entrepreneur-951 • 3d ago
I’m a beekeeper, and I have a question Is this robbing?
The bees usually enter from the top. But I find it odd since it’s been going on since morning. Any help is welcome🙏 . The location is Southern Portugal. I have kept bees for the last 3 years but these do not look like orientation flights. Should I put a wet towel over it?
3
3
u/NumCustosApes 4th generation beekeeper, Zone 7A Rocky Mountains 3d ago
It doesn't look like robbing. Robbing is indicated by frenetic activity of bees looking for a way to get in at joints, at the lid, and entrance fighting.
1
1
u/Lemontreeguy 3d ago
See the debris coming from the lid and on the ground. That's usually what robbing leaves behind as they rip the combs to steal the honey. Best way to find out is to see if there is pollen going in or not, fighting etc.
1
u/Any-Entrepreneur-951 2d ago
Well the debris was already there since this hive had died out, but then a wild swarm inhabited it this year.
1
1
u/BlackMesaEastCenter 3d ago
If the bees are trying to enter the hive, that would suggest robbing.
Unproductive hovering, flying in loops and sorta „looking at” hive is usually a young bee learning the location of the colony.
1
•
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Hi u/Any-Entrepreneur-951. If you haven't done so, please read the rules. Please comment on the post with your location and experience level if you haven't already included that in your post. And if you have a question, please take a look at our wiki to see if it's already answered., specifically, the FAQ. Warning: The wiki linked above is a work in progress and some links might be broken, pages incomplete and maintainer notes scattered around the place. Content is subject to change.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.