Trying a robbing screen to stop bees from robbing my hive
Channel: Phil Windley
Date: 18/07/2012

Bees rob each other when nectar flows are low or the opportunity presents itself. I'm not sure the nectar flows are low, but it has been hot. One of my hives--the one that's weak, naturally,  is under attack. 

There are several ways to deal with robbing. One is to close up the hive, but I had two problems with this:

1. It's hot, so closing up the hive isn't a good idea
2. I'm headed out of town and can't monitor it closely (I really wish I had my hive camera working)

I discovered this screen design and the explanation for why it works from UC Davis (my alma mater):

http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Mussen/beebriefs/robbingscreen.pdf

The idea is the robber bees approach a hive differently than the bees who live there without blocking off airflow into the hive.  The bees who live in the hive have no problem landing on the hive and then crawling down to the entrance whereas the robber bees won't do that. I'm worried that the hardware cloth I had on hand might not have small enough holes.  I'm just holding it on with a bungee cord for now.  I'm trying it. We'll see what happens. 

Here's a video showing the screen I made.  You can see the robber bees flying in front of the hive.