ROBBING.—Chapter XVI. 
Even this should not be resorted to unless the beekeeper is certain there is 
no foul brood in any neighboring apiary. 
Robbing Weak Colonies. 
Weak colonies often invite robbing, especially if they are well pro- 
vided with honey and if their entrances are large. This is particularly 
true of the spring season and of the colonies left weak by winter losses. 
Prevention in that case is also better. than the cure. Weak colonies 
should have entrances no larger than are absolutely necessary, perhaps 1 
or 2 inches long by %@ inch in depth. Sometimes, however, if bees get to 
robbing a weak colony, that colony is placed temporarily in a dark cellar, 
and a hive having a small entrance and containing one comb with a little 
honey in it is put in its place in the apiary. When the bees have robbed out 
all of the honey in this one comb, thus making a thorough job of it, they 
will quietly disperse. On the other hand, if nothing were furnished for 
them to work on, they might, when thwarted in their desire to get the 
honey, go to other hives standing near, and the trouble be extended. If 
robbing has but just started, it can usually be controlled by contracting the 
entrance, and throwing a bunch of damp hay or grass over the front of the 
hive that is being robbed. Robber bees do not like to dodge through such 
an obstruction, for they can not make their “quick get-away.” If the en- 
trance is contracted in this way on a hot day, extra shade should be pro- 
vided for the hive. If only one colony is doing the robbing, it sometimes 
pays to change places—putting the robbed colony in place of the one 
being robbed. The mental confusion that this remedy apparently creates 
in the robber bees is indeed amusing as well as effective in correcting their 
temporary lapse from moral conduct. 
Where there is a general uproar in the apiary caused by robbing, con- 
tract the entrances to all weak colonies; see that there is no possible open- 
ing to exposed honey anywhere, then clear out, and let the bees alone. 
Robbing Distinguished from Playflights. 
Beginners often mistake young bees at play for robbers. Sometimes 
a large number will be seen flying busily around the front of the hive, 
usually early in the afternoon, so that there is a scene of great activity 
there, while other colonies are quiet. Closer investigation, however, shows 
the young bees merely at play. Under such circumstances there is an entire 
absence of any fighting. There is no sneaking nor darting around of the 
old, sleek, greasy-looking robber bees, nor is there heard the high, alarming 
keynote of excited bees peculiar to a robbing foray. There is only a 
happy circling about the front of the hive as the young bees first joyfully 
try their wings and mark the location of the hive. 
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