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How to prevent robber
At the end of the honey flow season, when the weather is warm and sunny, bees are more likely to become vulnerable to theft due to the separation from external nectar sources. This period often sees increased incidents of bee theft in apiaries. Some of these incidents involve bees from the same colony stealing honey from each other, while others are caused by foreign bees that infiltrate the hives to steal stored honey and pollen. The main causes of such thefts include a lack of natural food sources and poor hive management. For instance, weak or queenless colonies, as well as poorly sealed hives, can provide easy access for thieves. Additionally, if inspections last too long or honey spills outside the hive during feeding, it can attract unwanted attention from other bees.
If left unchecked, stolen bees can multiply quickly, leading to aggressive behavior such as fighting among bees, looting of honey stores, even killing the queen, weakening the colony, or causing mass swarming and destruction. In severe cases, the problem can spread to neighboring colonies, resulting in widespread losses.
To identify stolen bees, look for unusual activity around the hive. Bees may fly erratically near the entrance, and there might be signs of fighting at the hive’s door. Robber bees often target weak or queenless colonies, starting with the front honey stores and gradually taking everything. These bees tend to be active earlier in the day and later in the evening. If you suspect a robbery, sprinkle some white flour on the hive entrance where the theft occurs. If other bees return to their hives with flour on them, they may be part of the thief group.
Prevention is key. Keep your colonies strong, ensure proper honey storage, and maintain tight hive structures. During the honey flow, keep the inside of the hive densely packed so that bees and brood are evenly distributed. Adjust the hive entrance to limit access, and avoid unnecessary inspections. When inspecting, do so quickly and only during times when bees are actively foraging. Make sure to clean up any spilled honey promptly. Queenless colonies should be re-queened or merged quickly. Weak colonies can be strengthened by merging them with stronger ones or adding empty frames to balance the population.
If theft has already occurred, use a robber screen to reduce hive entrances and protect the queen with a queen cage. Identify and isolate the thief colony immediately. Removing the queen temporarily can disrupt their activities and suppress the theft. Another method involves relocating the thief colony by placing an empty hive with just a few frames in its original spot, along with small tunnels or barriers that allow entry but not exit. After 1–2 days, releasing the bees can help reduce their desire to steal.
Additionally, catching a few strong, old bees from the thief group, marking them with acupuncture, and placing them on the doorstep of the affected hive can deter further theft. The presence of dead bees nailed to the entrance may signal danger to other robbers, causing them to avoid the area. Most of the thief bees will stop their behavior within a day or two, returning to normal.