entrance reducers

[b young]

I am new to beekeeping, and picked up 3 nukes last sat, I put the entrance reducer to the larger of the 2 openings, the bees seem a bit crowded at the opening, but I don't think the size is hindering their access to the hive, at what point should I remove the entrance reducer, when the population builds a bit more and the entrance gets more crowded. or should it be opened early to allow for more ventilation?

b young
brigham city.

[Corey Tenney]

We left ours at the small one for 3 weeks, the larger one for about 3 weeks and then out until winter(ish).  You need enough bees to protect your hive against predators.  When you first get your bees (at least in a box) there really arent any "warriors" to help with this.  In a NUC its probably a bit different.  I would still wait another week or 2.

 

Corey

[Dane Allred]

I am also a new beekeeper. I bought a pkg of bees and totally forgot to put any kind of entrance reducer in. Luckely there doesn't seem to be an robbing going on from my other two hives and my new hive is doing well.

 

On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 5:24 AM, b young <byoungp...@gmail.com> wrote:

[A Wright]

If you are concerned about ventilation, which usually isn't a problem until we get 90's,  try using a screened bottom board.  I always leave my entrance reducers in for at least a month with new hives.  Or until I see that there is major congestion at the entrance. All of my new hives still have the reducers in.  This will protect them from robbing from stronger hives by allowing them to guard the smaller entrance.
If if does get into the 100's use popsicle sticks to gap the top board or some other method to allow convection currents to circulate through the hive.  When I start to see bees lined up trying to fan the hive, I know it is time to help them.

Alan Wheelwright