Hello, Tom here from Victoria.
New to beekeeping, just got my first hive around 2 weeks ago. I did my second inspection today. Around 20 degrees and sunny so it was perfect. The bees seem healthy, lots of nectar, brood. Couldn’t find the queen but I found larve and the little itty bitty eggs.
I probably had the hive open for around 10 minutes total. I installed a Ceracell Beefeeder ontop of the hive with sugar water to get them ready for the colder weather.
I had one frame put to the side (very little comb so far, probably onlt 30% drawn) to use create space in the hive to remove frames easier, as I was doing so I noticed harsh buzzing and a few bees fighting on said frame. I assume to my new-beek eyes that this was an unwelcomed guest attacking the open frame. So I quickly finished up.
I walked past the hive around 2 hours later and noticed a few bees fighting on the landing board, plus a few looking at the seams of the hive, especially around the feeder (around 3-4 bees doing so). I haven’t seen any comb pulled out nor have I seen any dead bees yet.
Are these early signs of robbing? If so how can I prevent them?
I have made up a wood piece to slot into the entrance to make it smaller, but I haven’t put it in yet since there are lots of bees going in and out and was going to wait until they are asleep.
I can provide a photo if needed! Thank you!