Robbing is one of those problems where prevention isn't just easier than reacting, it's really the only option that works. Once bees start robbing another hive out, it's extremely hard to stop, and by the time most beekeepers notice, real damage is already underway.
This guide covers why waiting until robbing starts is too late, and what to actually do ahead of time.
Why Robbing Happens
Robbing picks up once local nectar sources dry up, typically during a dearth in July or August for most regions, though it can start earlier depending on where you live. When there's plenty of nectar available, bees have no reason to risk breaking into another colony. Once that easy supply disappears, robbing becomes a more efficient way for a colony to get resources than foraging for what little is left, and weaker colonies with fewer guard bees become the main targets.
Once It Starts, It's Genuinely Hard to Stop
Common instincts for stopping active robbing tend not to work well in practice. Spraying bees with water in the hope they'll think it's raining and head home, or draping wet sheets over a hive being robbed, are both things beekeepers commonly try, and neither reliably solves the problem once robbing is fully underway. I've tried both myself on hives being robbed out, and neither one actually stopped it once it was in full swing. In serious cases, robbing can continue until the targeted colony is completely wiped out.
That's the real reason prevention matters so much here. This isn't a situation where you can watch for the first signs and react quickly enough. By the time it's obvious, you're often already past the point where anything you do in the moment makes much difference.
Get Robber Screens on Hand Before You Need Them
Buy robber screens well before robbing season actually arrives, not after you start seeing signs of trouble. Treat it the way you'd treat a fire extinguisher: you want it on hand before there's a fire, not after.
Once you notice a genuine dearth setting in, little or nothing blooming, foraging activity dropping off, that's the signal to actually put the screens on, especially on smaller or weaker colonies. A hive that's already struggling for other reasons, covered in the guide on recognizing and rescuing a failing hive, is especially vulnerable during a dearth. You don't have to wait for robbing to actually begin. Acting at the first sign of a dearth is the whole point of having screens ready ahead of time.
Even a Single Hive Is at Risk
It's easy to assume robbing is mainly a concern for beekeepers running a lot of hives, but a single backyard hive isn't safe just because there's nothing else nearby competing for the same resources. Wild colonies living in trees, old buildings, or barns can be strong enough to target a lone managed hive once a dearth sets in, even if you don't keep other colonies of your own nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does robbing season typically start?
Usually July or August for most regions, once nectar sources dry up and a dearth sets in, though it can start earlier depending on your local climate and forage availability.
Can I stop robbing once it's already started?
It's genuinely difficult. Common remedies like spraying water or covering a hive with a wet sheet don't reliably work once robbing is fully underway, and in serious cases it can continue until the targeted colony collapses.
When should I put robber screens on my hives?
As soon as you notice a genuine dearth beginning, little blooming, reduced foraging activity, rather than waiting until you actually see robbing behavior. Having the screens on hand well before that point is what makes quick action possible.
Do I need to worry about robbing if I only have one hive?
Yes. Wild colonies in trees, buildings, or barns can be strong enough to target a single managed hive during a dearth, even without other managed colonies nearby.
Which hives are most at risk of being robbed?
Weaker colonies with fewer guard bees are the most common targets, since they're less able to defend their entrance against a determined robbing colony.