A bee guard across the hive entrance gives a weak or newly split colony a far better chance of keeping its stores. Robbing tends to start when nectar runs short and foragers from a stronger colony catch the scent of honey in a poorly defended hive and force their way in. Fighting at the entrance can kill many bees on both sides, and a colony that is overrun may be stripped of its honey.
Our Entrance Robber Guard suits 8-frame and 10-frame hives and can be cut down to match a smaller opening. Besides turning away robbing bees and wasps, a robbing guard cuts down drifting, which matters because bees that wander into the wrong hive can carry disease between colonies. Put the bee guard on as soon as you notice fighting or dead bees out the front, and leave it on weak hives until the dearth breaks. For a narrower doorway, combine it with our beehive entrance reducers and closures, and if you need to feed, frame-style bee feeders keep the syrup inside the box.
The one-way hive exit cone solves a different problem: bees stuck in the lid or roof space of Flow, top bar and other horizontal hives. It lets them find their way out without a route back in, and sits well alongside our Flow Hive parts and accessories.
The Entrance Robbing Guard is an undervalued beekeeping tool. Not only can it deflect robbing honey bees and wasps, it can also limit the danger of disease carrying drifting bees.
Robbing usually begins in a nectar dearth when foragers from one colony find a hive that is weak or poorly defended. They detect the scent of stored honey inside and try to steal it. Fighting ensues, often with many deaths on both sides. If the defending colony becomes overrun, the marauders are free to take what they want.
May be cut down to suit hive entrance size.
A great one-way exit to get pesky bees out of hive lid and roof caverties on Flow, Horizontal and Top Bar Hives