During a nectar dearth, speed and concealment are your primary tools. You must conduct inspections as rapidly as possible to minimize the time the colony is exposed to potential robbers. Additionally, utilize cloth covers or similar materials to shield open hive bodies, which helps prevent robber bees from entering the top bars and maintains a calm, dark, and cool environment within the colony.
The central danger during a dearth is robbing behavior, where desperate bees from strong colonies attack weaker ones for resources. All management practices during this time must focus on minimizing the "scent footprint" of the hive and physically barring intruders from entering the workspace.
Minimizing Exposure During Inspection
The Importance of Speed
During a dearth, every second the hive is open increases the risk of attracting robbers. Have your tools ready before you open the lid and perform your checks as quickly as possible to limit exposure.
Using Physical Covers
Never leave the top of the hive fully exposed. Use cloth covers or damp towels to drape over the hive bodies and frames you are not currently examining.
Maintaining the Internal Environment
The cloth covers serve a dual purpose beyond security. They help maintain a dark, cool environment inside the hive, which keeps the bees calmer and reduces the stress of the inspection.
Utilizing Defensive Equipment
Portable Operation Tents
For maximum security, conduct your inspections inside a portable operation tent. This provides a fully enclosed workspace that physically prevents bees from neighboring colonies from harassing or robbing the hive being serviced.
Entrance Reducers
To help the colony defend itself, install entrance reducers to limit the size of the opening the guard bees must protect. This concentrates their defense and makes it harder for intruders to overwhelm them.
Robbing Screens
In addition to reducers, utilize robbing screens. These devices confuse intruder bees trying to fly directly in, while allowing resident bees to navigate a separate entrance/exit path.
Managing Resources and Feeding
Monitoring Stores
Use the inspection to critically evaluate honey stores. If natural nectar is unavailable and stores are low, you must provide supplemental feeding of sugar syrup to ensure colony survival.
Avoiding Scented Additives
When mixing sugar syrup, strictly avoid additives with strong scents. Essential oils or other aromatic stimulants can travel on the wind, attracting outside pollinators and inciting a robbing frenzy.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The Risk of Spillage
One of the most dangerous mistakes during a dearth is spilling sugar syrup outside the hive. Even a small spill acts as a beacon for robbers, potentially triggering a large-scale robbing incident that can destroy a colony.
Over-Inspection
While monitoring is necessary, frequently opening the hive releases colony odors that attract predators. During a severe dearth, balance the need for information with the need to keep the colony's defensive "envelope" sealed; inspect only when absolutely necessary.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure the safety of your apiary during resource scarcity, tailor your actions to your specific objective:
- If your primary focus is preventing robbing: Prioritize the use of a portable operation tent and cloth covers to physically block intruders during inspections.
- If your primary focus is colony survival: Monitor honey stores closely and feed unscented sugar syrup, ensuring entrance reducers are in place to protect the new resources.
- If your primary focus is apiary maintenance: Perform inspections only when critical, keeping them brief to minimize the release of hive odors.
Vigilance and speed are the keys to shepherding your bees safely through periods of resource scarcity.
Summary Table:
| Practice | Objective | Key Tool/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Shielding | Prevent robbing & maintain hive cool | Cloth covers, damp towels, operation tents |
| Speed Management | Minimize scent footprint & exposure | Prepare tools in advance; keep inspections brief |
| Entrance Security | Aid colony defense | Install entrance reducers or robbing screens |
| Resource Support | Ensure colony survival | Feed unscented sugar syrup; avoid all spills |
| Odor Control | Prevent attracting predators | Avoid scented additives; limit frequency of opening |
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