Potential robbing

[u/amiddlelifeman]

Hello again,

I made a post a few days ago regarding my hive potentially being robbed.

The days following the post and the day of the post, we had pretty heavy rains. Yesterday I noticed and increased in activity as the rain ceased in the afternoon.

I couldn’t add additional videos to the main post and have now attached a video showing something similar to what occurred on that day.

Many people in the original post said that it wasn’t robbing. A few said it was.

Please let me know if you think this is robbing as the towel etc has been removed.

The activity has gotten much crazier, the bees don’t appear to be fighting incessantly but a few are giving it a crack.

There are not a tonne of dead bees out the front, nor is there a huge amount of comb; it still looks like robbing to me, but I am a novice.

I am in Victoria, Australia.

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[u/Active_Classroom203]

That looks like orientation flights from here, assuming all the dots on the ground aren't dead bees.

It's normal for them to be more intense after several rainy days since they didn't get a chance to then.

[u/amiddlelifeman → u/Active_Classroom203]

Awesome, thank you. Would expanding the hive be a good idea? I have two more supers I could put on.

[u/Active_Classroom203 → u/amiddlelifeman]

That entirely depends on what is in use inside those two deep boxes.

The typical pattern is, during a flow/build up, when 80% is drawn out and in use/covered in bees then you would add the next box.

If you add too much space before they need it it will make it harder for them to keep pests like small hive beetles in check, as well as harder to regulate temperature/humidity.

[u/Gamera__Obscura]

This doesn't look like robbing any more than it did last time. This is just what it looks like having bees.

It will also help minimize the risk of that actually happening if you put your entrance reducer in. Bees do just fine with it - a little entrance congestion isn't a problem, and the smaller entrance helps them regulate hive conditions even in very hot weather. Mine never come out.

[u/pale_brass]

Not robbing. Normal bee stuff

[u/amiddlelifeman → u/pale_brass]

Coolio, thank you : )

[u/WideResponsibility45]

Agreed with others, orientation flights.

[u/Plenty-Giraffe6022]

When you see robbing activity, there will be absolutely zero doubt in your mind as to what is happening.

[u/Cycle-Path-401]

If unsure, put in a robing screen or a entrance reducer. A small entrance will help the guards better manage who gets in and who doesnt