Navigating Robbing Behavior in Fall
As fall settles in here in Santa Cruz, I’m noticing an increase in robbing behavior among my bees. This behavior, while natural, can be concerning for beekeepers, so let’s dive into what’s happening and how to manage it.
Understanding the Hive’s Defense System
Each honey bee colony has a unique scent that marks its members and establishes a sense of relatedness. This scent is a combination of odors from the queen and the food collected and stored by the colony. Guard bees, the colony’s protectors, are responsible for defending the hive. They patrol the entrance at all times, but their numbers increase during challenging conditions, such as food scarcity in late summer and fall.
When a robber bee from another hive attempts to enter, the guard bees are quick to intercept. Within seconds, they can smell an intruder and take action. The guard bee will grab the robber's wings or legs and force her out of the hive. If the intruder remains submissive, she’s usually allowed to return home. However, if she becomes aggressive, a full-blown brawl may ensue.
Not all intruders are treated harshly. Drones, young bees that have drifted into the wrong hive, or successful foragers laden with food are typically unharmed and may even be allowed to join the colony.
What Is Robbing and Why Does It Happen?
Robbing is a unique form of foraging where bees from one colony invade another to steal honey—a lazy but effective way to secure honey reserves. Honey bees, being generalist foragers, focus on the richest, most abundant sources of food. If a neighboring colony isn’t well-defended, its honey stores become an easy target.
Robbing tends to escalate during a nectar dearth or food shortage, when there are many unemployed foragers. The attack continues until the targeted colony can mount a proper defense. Unfortunately, weak or poorly protected colonies can be completely overrun and destroyed by robbing bees.
Preventing Robbing in Your Apiary
As a beekeeper, there are steps you can take to prevent robbing in your apiary, especially during late summer and fall:
Quick, Goal-Oriented Inspections: Keep your hive inspections brief and focused during these critical months to minimize the time the hive is exposed.
Maintain Hive Equipment: Ensure that your hive equipment is in good condition, with no cracks or broken corners that could serve as additional entrances for robbers.
Use a Robbing Screen: If robbing becomes intense, consider using a robbing screen. This specialized equipment helps confuse robbers and gives your colony more time to defend itself.
By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, you can help your bees fend off robbers and protect their valuable honey stores as they prepare for winter.