Feral colonies that recently swarmed or didn’t store enough honey are definitely out there. (Many of the removals I have done this year showed that the feral colonies were not storing as much honey as they should have.) Today we’re tackling a critical issue that every beekeeper should be aware of: ROBBING. This occurs when bees from one colony invade another to steal honey, and it can be a serious problem if not managed properly.

When you first see the blur of robbing activity around your hive you may think it is swarming or orienting behavior. Here are some clues to help you determine which it is.

1. Orienting: This happens around the same time every day and has a definite pattern of bees taking off and flying in figure eight patterns in front of the hive. Lasts about 20 minutes.
2. Swarming: Usually takes place in the Spring. Inspections will show queen cells and hive congestions. Activity in front of the hive will be an outpouring of bees leaving the hive and eventually collecting in a large group in the air and leaving, or gathering in a cluster nearby. It will last only a few minutes, with activity in front of the hive returning to normal.
3. Robbing: Higher than normal activity around the hive. Bees fighting on the ground or at the entrance. Brown marks and debris on the front of the hive and entrance. Bees attempting to access the hive from areas other than the entrance.

Most of the time it is too late to save a hive that is actively being robbed because you don’t catch it in time. However, if you do get there during the beginning stages of an attack here are some things you can do to minimize the effects:

1. Close the Entrance: Use a hive reducer or temporarily close the entrance to limit access. This makes it harder for robbing bees to enter and easier for your bees to defend their hive.

2. Block Access: If the robbing is severe, you can use a mesh or wet sheet over the entire hive to block the entrance partially, allowing only a small gap at the bottom for your bees.

3. Spray Water: Lightly spray the area around the entrance with water. This can discourage robbing bees without causing harm to your bees.

The best defense is a good offense. Living in Arizona we have to extra vigillant during the dearth of late Summer. We are surrounded by Africanized colonies that are excellent fighters and survivalists. They are strong, fast, and ever-ready to send their full force to claim your hive’s honey as their own.

Following the following guidelines will help you help your bees.

1. Maintain Strong Colonies: A robust, healthy colony is less likely to be targeted by robbing bees. Ensure your bees have plenty of food and space to prevent them from becoming weak or desperate.

2. Secure Hive Entrances: Use entrance reducers to minimize the size of the hive entrance, making it easier for your bees to defend their home. Smaller entrances are harder for robbing bees to navigate and can deter them from attempting an invasion. Using Apimaye hives or Robbing Screens like THIS, are enormous helps.

3. Regular Inspections: Keep an eye on your hive’s activity and check for signs of robbing, such as increased bee activity around the hive, aggressive behavior, or a high number of dead bees at the entrance.

4. Proper Hive Management: During honey extraction, ensure that the hive is properly sealed and clean up any spilled honey promptly. A clean hive is less likely to attract robbers.

5. Avoid Spilling Honey: Refrain from leaving any scent of honey near your hives unnecessarily. Hungry bees will pick up on it and it only increases the risk of attracting robbers.

By taking these steps, you’ll help ensure that your bees remain happy and healthy, and that your hive stays safe from unwanted invaders. Happy beekeeping!

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