MillerThousand AnswersBeekeepingQuestions.pdf - BioBees

204 DR. miller'sQ. Would it pay to have a Rietsche press for 100 colonies (Iuse shallow extracting-frames and sections on each colony), orwould it pay to sell the wax and buy foundation?A I doubt that you could easily make foundation with aRietsche press that would be satisfactory for section honey. Forbrood-frames you can make foundation with it that might besatisfactory. Whether it would be advisable to make or buy dependsupon circumstances.Robbing.—Q. What is a good sign of bees being robbed?A. When you see unusual activitj- at the entrance, especiallyif the colony is weak, catch one of the bees that comes out withconsiderable bustle, kill it and see if it has honey in its sac. Ifit goes out with a full sac, you may count there's robbing. In alarge number of the cases of robbing that occur in the spring, itis because the colonies are queenless and practically worthless,and the best thing in such case is to let the robbers carry out allthe honey without disturbing them. About the worst thing is totake the hive away, for then the robbers will pitch into the adjoininghives. If you take the hive away, put in its place anotherhive just like it, with a comb or combs having just a little honeyin them, letting the robbers clean out the little honey without disturbingthe neighboring colonies.Q. If bees begin robbing a hive, can it be stopped, and how?A. If bees have a good start at robbing a weak colony, it is ahard matter to stop them. Perhaps the best thing is to take awaythe colony, putting it down cellar for two or three days, and putin place of the hive another hive like it, containing some comband a little honey. (If you leave nothing for them to work at,they will attack one or more of the nearest colonies.) When theyhave cleaned out the little honey, and satisfied themselves there isno more to be had, they will quietly give it up. Then, after twoor three days, return the colony to its place, closing the entranceto a very small space, perhaps allowing passage for only one ortwo bees at a time, and it may be that the robbers will not makeanother start, especially if a good queen is present. But if thecolony is queenless, the case is hopeless. Sometimes robbing hascommenced at a fairly strong colony with a good queen. The firstthing is to limit the entrance. Perhaps painting carbolic acidabout the entrance will answer. A pretty good way is to pile hayo,- grass in front of the entrance and keep it well wet with water.