What is the purpose of an entrance reducer?
A beehive entrance reducer is a small piece of hardware that is used to restrict the size of the opening to the hive. Entrance reducers can be used for different things at different times of the year. In the spring, when the hive is first being established, the reducer can be used to help control the size of the colony. Later in the season, when the hive is more established, the reducer can be used to help prevent pests and predators from getting into the hive.
Be used in the fall
A beehive entrance reducer is a small piece of wood or other material that is placed over the entrance to a beehive. The reducer allows the bees to pass through the entrance, but limits the amount of space that is available. This helps to keep the hive warm in the winter and prevents pests from entering the hive.
As the weather cools and the days grow shorter, it is important to take measures to protect your bee colony. One of the most important things you can do is to seal up any holes in the colony. This will prevent robbing by other bees or access for pests.
When a beekeeper wants to decrease the size of a hive entrance, they will use a smaller hive entrance reducer. This limits the space that the bees have to protect and can make it easier for the beekeeper to control the hive. The beekeeper may also change the temperature and ventilation in the hive, depending on the needs of the bees.
Winter
Reducers are a common way to keep pests out of bee colonies during winter. By closing off the entrance to the hive, reducers prevent chipmunks and mice from getting in and bothering the bees. This can help the bees stay calm and clustered during winter, when they are otherwise vulnerable to attack.
The metal entrance reducer is my preferred choice because mice are less likely to chew through them. I like that they offer a reliable barrier against unwanted pests, and they're also very easy to install.
If you are using the standard wooden cleat reducer with two notches, you should put notch facing upward toward the hive body. This in theory prevents the notch from being covered by accumulating dead bees from the cluster. This allows bees to more easily enter and exit the hive as they clean out the notch.
Clean up
If you find that there are a lot of dead bees around the entrance to your beehive, it is a good idea to clean them up. This will help to keep the area clean and free of pests.
To clean out a hive without disassembling the hive bodies, use an old bee brush or a plasting hanger. Work the brush or hanger around the inside of the hive to remove any debris or wax.
