380 ROBBING, AND HOW PREVENTED. 



When the above mstructions are carried out, if thieves try 

 to slip into a feeble colony they are almost sure to be over- 

 hauled and put to death; and if robbers are bold enough to 

 attempt to force an entrance, as the bottom-board slants for- 

 ward (336) it gives the occupants of the hive a decided ad- 

 vantage. Should any succeed in entering, they vcill find 

 hundreds standing in battle-array, and fare as badly as a for- 

 lorn hope that has stormed the walls of a beleaguered fortress, 

 only to perish among thousands of enraged enemies. 



Cracks and openings in disjointed hives, should be securely 

 closed with wet clay, until the bees can be transferred into 

 better abodes. 



When the hives are opened, the work must be performed 

 speedily and carefully; and, if any great number of robbers 

 show themselves during the operation, it is well, after closing 

 the hive, and reducing the entrance, to place a bunch of grass 

 (fine grass or fine weeds preferred) over it, for an hour, or 

 till the temporary excitement has subsided. The guardian bees 

 station themselves in this grass and chase out robbers much 

 more easily than they could otherwise. The robbers them- 

 selves recognize that their chances of "dodging in" are slim, 

 and give up the undertaking. We have never had any trouble 

 with robbers after closing a hive in this way. 



When the robbed colony is weak, the robbing may be abated 

 by preventing any bees from entering it till evening, when 

 other colonies ha^•e stopped flying; allowing, at the same time, 

 any bee that wishes to depart from it, and closing the en- 

 trance till late in the morning. By this course most of the 

 robbers Avill be tired of their useless attempts, while the re- 

 maining workers of the robbed hive will be ready to repel the 

 attacks. 



When none of these methods succeed, a small comb of 

 hatching Italian bees (551) may be given, with the necessary 

 precautions (480), to the weak colony, and the hive placed 

 in the cellar for a few days. The hatched Italians will receive 

 the intruders warmly when the hive is brought back. 



