6 Best Robber Screens For Preventing Hive Theft That Old Keepers Use
Learn how veteran beekeepers protect hives from robbing. We review 6 time-tested robber screen designs that confuse invaders while letting residents pass.
You’ve seen it happen. A quiet hive in the morning can be a warzone by noon, with frantic bees fighting at the entrance. This isn’t just a squabble; it’s robbing, and it can wipe out a colony in a matter of days. A good robber screen is one of the most effective, low-cost insurance policies you can have for your hives.
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Why Robber Screens Are Essential for Hive Health
A robbing frenzy is a terrifying sight. It’s an all-out assault where strong colonies attack weaker ones to steal their winter stores. The attackers are relentless, and the defenders fight to the death, leaving a pile of casualties at the entrance. If the robbers succeed, they won’t just take the honey; they’ll often kill the queen and leave the colony to starve or collapse.
Think of a robber screen as a security system that confuses the intruders. It works by moving the hive entrance to a new, less obvious location while blocking the old one with a screen. The hive’s residents quickly learn the new secret passage, but the invading robbers, drawn by the scent of honey from the original entrance, just bang against the screen, unable to get in.
This isn’t just about protecting one hive. Robbing is a major vector for disease and pests. Robber bees can carry Varroa mites and foulbrood spores from a collapsing hive back to their own, spreading the problem throughout your entire apiary. Using a screen proactively, especially during a nectar dearth in late summer, is a cornerstone of responsible hive management.
Mann Lake Screen: The Tried-and-True Standard
When you think of a classic robber screen, you’re probably picturing the Mann Lake design. It’s a simple, effective tool made from wood and #8 hardware cloth. This is the standard for a reason: it works reliably and is built to last more than a few seasons.
The design forces your bees to enter through a small opening at the top or side of the screen, while the main entrance they’re used to is blocked by wire mesh. Robber bees, following the scent plume straight to the old entrance, are completely baffled. They can smell the honey but can’t find the door, while your bees reorient to the new path within a day or so.
The main advantage here is simplicity and durability. There are no moving parts to get stuck with propolis, and the wooden frame can take a beating. The only real downside is that you might need to add a small shim or screw to get a perfectly snug fit on slightly warped or non-standard hive bodies.
Betterbee Robbing Screen for 10-Frame Hives
Betterbee offers a screen that refines the classic design with a few thoughtful touches. While functionally similar to other models, it often features cleaner construction and a slightly different entrance configuration. It’s a solid choice for beekeepers who appreciate small improvements on a proven concept.
This screen is built specifically for 10-frame equipment, ensuring a good fit right out of the box. The entrance is typically a narrow slot along the top edge, which provides a clear path for residents while remaining difficult for frenzied robbers to locate. It’s a subtle difference, but in a heavy robbing situation, every little bit of misdirection helps.
The tradeoff is often a slightly higher price point for the improved fit and finish. It’s not a revolutionary leap, but if you run all standardized 10-frame gear and want something that installs with no fuss, the Betterbee screen is a dependable investment. It’s a piece of equipment you put on and don’t have to think about again.
Dadant & Sons Screen: A Classic Keeper’s Choice
Dadant has been in the beekeeping game forever, and their equipment reflects that legacy. Their robber screen is a no-nonsense piece of gear, built with function and longevity as the top priorities. It’s the kind of tool you’d expect to find in a seasoned keeper’s shed—a little heavy, overbuilt, and absolutely reliable.
The construction is typically robust, using thicker wood and heavy-gauge screen. The design philosophy is clear: create something that will withstand years of use, weather, and being pried off with a hive tool. It doesn’t try to be clever; it just creates a physical barrier that works.
This screen is for the beekeeper who values durability over modern features. It may not have adjustable gates or a sleek profile, but you can be confident it won’t fall apart after one season. It’s a testament to the old way of doing things, where tools were made to be used, not just sold.
VIVO BEE-V104R: A Modern, Adjustable Option
The VIVO screen represents a more modern approach, prioritizing versatility. Often constructed from metal, its most significant feature is adjustability. This makes it a fantastic option for beekeepers who run a mix of 8-frame and 10-frame hives.
With a VIVO screen, you can often slide the sides to fit different hive widths, meaning one screen can be used on any Langstroth hive in your apiary. Some models also include small gates to open or close the screen entirely without removing it, which is convenient for quick inspections. This adaptability is its core strength.
However, there are tradeoffs. Metal can get extremely hot in direct sun, potentially stressing bees near the entrance. More moving parts also mean more places for propolis to build up, potentially causing sliders or gates to stick. It’s a great tool, but one that might require a little more cleaning and management than its simpler wooden counterparts.
Brushy Mountain’s Screen for Langstroth Hives
Brushy Mountain Bee Farm has long been a trusted name, and their robber screen lives up to that reputation. It’s a practical, well-made piece of equipment designed to solve a common problem without any unnecessary frills. It strikes a great balance between the classic wooden designs and more modern options.
The design is straightforward and effective, typically using wood and screen like the classic models. What often sets it apart are the small details in craftsmanship that ensure a good fit and easy installation on standard Langstroth hives. It’s a workhorse tool designed for the practical beekeeper.
Think of the Brushy Mountain screen as a reliable default choice. It’s built well enough to last, designed smartly enough to work without issue, and priced reasonably. For a hobby farmer who just needs a solid, dependable solution to protect their hives, this is an excellent place to start.
The DIY Ultimate Screen: A Homesteader Favorite
For the homesteader who has more scrap wood than cash, building your own robber screen is the ultimate solution. It’s incredibly simple and allows you to customize the design to fit any hive, whether it’s a Langstroth, a Warre, or a custom top-bar hive. All you need is a bit of wood for the frame and a piece of #8 hardware cloth.
The core of a DIY screen is a simple wooden frame that fits over the hive entrance. You staple the hardware cloth over the front, then cut a small notch or drill a hole at the very top of the frame for the new entrance. The bees will figure it out, but the robbers won’t.
The biggest advantage is cost—it’s nearly free if you have materials on hand. You can also customize it perfectly, ensuring a snug, gap-free fit that commercial screens sometimes lack. The only real con is the time it takes, but for many of us, building our own gear is part of the satisfaction of keeping bees in the first place.
Proper Installation and Seasonal Timing Guide
A robber screen is useless if it’s not installed correctly or at the right time. The key is to be proactive, not reactive. Install screens before you see signs of robbing, especially during high-risk periods like a late summer nectar dearth or when you’re feeding a weak colony.
Installation is simple. Secure the screen over the main hive entrance, ensuring there are no gaps on the sides or bottom where robbers could sneak in. Use the included clips, or just a couple of deck screws, to hold it firmly in place. Your bees will seem confused for a few hours, clustering on the outside of the screen, but they will quickly find the new entrance at the top.
Leave the screens on through the fall, especially if you’re feeding. In the spring, once the nectar flow is strong and the risk of robbing has passed, you can remove them. This improves ventilation and reduces traffic jams at the entrance during the busiest time of year. For persistently weak hives, however, it’s sometimes wise to leave a screen on year-round.
Ultimately, a robber screen is more than just a piece of equipment; it’s a fundamental tool for managing risk in your apiary. Whether you buy a classic wooden model or build your own, using one demonstrates a commitment to protecting your colonies from a swift and brutal end. It’s one of the simplest steps you can take to ensure your bees make it through the tough times.
