What is a recommended action to reduce robbing behavior?

Reducing the entrance of the robbed colony is recommended to limit robbing behavior because it makes it more difficult for other bees, particularly from nearby hives, to enter and steal resources. A smaller entrance helps to protect the weak colony by creating a more defendable space. It allows the resident bees to more effectively patrol and defend their hive against intruders. This is particularly important during times when colonies may be weaker or when there is a scarcity of resources, which often leads to robbing.

In contrast, increasing the number of entry points or keeping hives in open spaces can inadvertently make it easier for robbing to occur, as these conditions can attract other bees, creating more opportunities for robbing. Placing hives close together does not necessarily deter robbing behavior, and in fact, it might invite competition among bees from adjacent hives. Hence, the action of reducing the entrance of the robbed colony directly addresses the issue by making it harder for robbers to gain access.