Posted: Sun Aug 10, 08 8:30 am Post subject: Bee Hive under attack from wasps
One of the hives on the plot (owned by our bee-keeping partners Steve and Lynne) is currently suffering a direct attack from wasps. Its a newish colony that is being fed. Lots of dead bees by the entrance and wasps appearing to gain seemingly easy access. Steve has now reduced the entrance down to one bee wide to try and help them defend it better and has stuck wasp traps along the fence near by.
Any other suggestions?
StuP
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 123 Location: Aberdeenshire
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 08 8:47 am Post subject:
Sounds like they've done the right thing. The only other thing I could suggest is to locate the wasp byke and destroy it.
Tavascarow
Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 8407 Location: South Cornwall
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 08 9:13 am Post subject:
Put a pane of glass over the front of the entrance so the bees can still get in & out but the robbers get confused. (They see the entrance but keep bashing against the glass).
Only feed late in the evening or early in the morning & ensure no feed is spilt around the hive.
If the robbing continues swap the weak colony with a stronger one.
The weak colony will be reinforced by the flying bees from the strong colony & the robbers will get a big suprise when they try to enter a much stronger colony.
Try & locate where the wasp colony is & destroy it asap.