DEFENCE
The internal entrance of the HiveGate™ should be positioned directly under the winter cluster i.e., beneath the largest concentration of bees in the hive. If an intruder enters the HiveGate™ and proceeds towards the second (internal) HiveGate™ entrance it will encounter a barricade of bees.
Scenario A
The intruder enters the HiveGate™ but decides not to engage with the cluster. It heads back to the front entrance of the hive and leaves. This is an unsuccessful entry, and the intruder won’t communicate a successful robbing back to its nest.
Scenario B
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The intruder manages to enter the hive at the internal HiveGate™ entrance. This stressful entry sets off the intruder’s alarm pheromones and drives every bee that is near the intruder to behave like a guard bee.
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Bees at the internal entrance react to the intruder’s alarm pheromones and attack the intruder inside the hive.
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The HiveGate™ prevents the intruder from seeing a way out of the hive.
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The bees continue their attack until the intruder is dead.
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The bees dispose of the intruder’s body through the HiveGate™.
WHEN TO USE HIVEGATE™
The internal entrance of the HiveGate™ should be positioned directly under the winter cluster i.e., beneath the largest concentration of bees in the hive. If an intruder enters the HiveGate™ and proceeds towards the second (internal) HiveGate™ entrance it will encounter a barricade of bees.
