My Robbing Screen Hacks
/When it comes to robbing screens, I am an unapologetic believer. If you’re not familiar with these gizmos and how they work, click here for Rusty’s description on the Honeybeesuite blog.
Please don’t send me nasty email me. I’ve heard all the “Cons” - “they confuse the bees”: “they don’t work”: “just an another gadget to buy”: “where’s the science?”. I’ve seen Robbing Screens work on my own hives so until new information comes to light, my mind is made up.
Just so we’re clear, Robbing Screens won’t stop robbing behavior. Bees will still try to rob their neighbors, especially when times are hard. But my own (unscientific) study results gathered over several seasons tells me robbing screens minimize damage by confounding the robbers and helping defenders protect their goods. This proves especially valuable during a dearth, and just after a split when target and source colonies are most vulnerable. I keep these screens - some store bought, some homemade - on all my hives year round. However...
Robbing screens are exactly like everything else in your life; they have drawbacks begging for solutions. Here are my two biggest gripes and what I’ve done about them.
10 Frame Commercial Robbing Screen
Tight Bungees (not screws or nails) Make for Easy and Quick Removal
Use Thin Sheet Metal or Plastic (signs work great).
Gripe #1. Connecting the Screen to the Hive
Instructions would have the robbing screen nailed or screwed into the hive body just over the entrance. This makes removing then replacing the screen on a live colony especially difficult when you need to get to the real hive entrance for things like OAV varroa treatment, sticky board insertion/retrieval , entrance reducer adjustment, etc.
My Hack. Screw large cup hook into each side of the screen frame, then use a three foot bungee to hold the screen in place. Adjust so there are no gaps big enough for the ladies to squeeze through. Easy to take off. Easy to put back on.
Gripe #2. Reducing the Entrance for Winter
The screened area leaves the hive entrance unprotected from winter wind and rain.
My Hack. Attach a piece of thin metal across or plastic across the screened opening. An old license plate trimmed to fit works well. Use three Philips head screws to attach this DIY wind block to the robbing screen frame (make sure the screws are not too long else you will end up screwing the screen to the hive). When Spring rolls around, you and your battery powered drill can remove the wind blocks in a flash.
You can find 10 frame commercial Robbing Screens at many beekeeping supply outfits. If you are a DIY person, there are plenty of good plans on the Internet. Here’s one from the Cookeville Beekeepers Association.
