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How to Remove a Bee Hive Reducer

Beehive entrance reducers block the entrance to a beehive and are designed to keep out cold air, mice and other insects. In winter months, mice look for warm areas to nest and beehives provide them with everything they need, including food. Hornets and wasps seeking a winter home also wreak havoc on beehives. During the summer months, bees need room to enter and exit the hive. It is important to remove the hive reducer in the spring when flowers start blooming.

Things You'll Need

Crowbar, hammer, pliers or screwdriver
Smoker
Smoker fuel
Beekeeper suit
Match or lighter

Instructions

- 1
  Gather the tools you need to complete the job before heading out to your hives. You need to work quickly, so make sure your tool will remove the beehive's entrance reducer.
- 2
  Put on your beekeeper suit. Make sure the hat and screening cover all of your face and neck. Put on gloves and cover the gloves' opening with the cuffs of your suit.
- 3
  Insert your smoker fuel into the smoker's canister. Dried pine needles and twigs work well and are often easy to find. Light the end of the pine needles with a match or lighter. Move to the hive entrance.
- 4
  Open the lid and spread smoke around the entrance of the beehive. Make sure there's plenty of smoke making its way into the hive to calm the bees. Set the smoker down below the entrance as close to the entrance reducer as possible.
- 5
  Pry out a store-bought beehive entrance reducer using a screwdriver or pliers. Make sure you do not squish any bees while using the tool. For homemade hive reducers, pry away the strip of wood or metal using the claws on your hammer or crowbar.

Insects & Science