{"product_id":"universal-and-reversible-metal-entrance-reducer","title":"Universal and Reversible Metal Entrance Reducer","description":"\u003cp\u003eTom Seeley's research on wild honeybee colonies found that bees preferentially choose nest cavities with smaller entrances — not because they're overcrowded, but because a smaller entrance is easier to defend. That's the design basis for this reducer. Most commercial entrance reducers cut the entrance down to whatever width fits the woodenware, without much consideration for what the colony can actually guard effectively. We built this one around what the research shows works for the bees, and we sized it to match the natural entrance wild colonies prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe reducer is reversible with two distinct sides. The oblong hole side is for standard use — bees move freely in and out, but the opening is narrow enough that the colony can defend against robbing bees, wasps, and hornets without posting a full guard at the front. The small hole side is for moving hives — air passes through, bees don't. Slide the small-hole side in place, close the entrance, and the colony stays contained and ventilated during transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe sliding fit is what makes it universal. It adjusts to fit 8-frame and 10-frame Langstroth hives, Flow Hives, Layens hives, and Warré hives — all with one reducer. It's also the only entrance reducer we know of that allows an \u003ca href=\"\/products\/foxhound-entrance-feeder\"\u003eentrance feeder\u003c\/a\u003e to be used at the same time, so you can keep feeding a new colony while still protecting the entrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy-gauge stainless steel. Doesn't rust, doesn't warp, doesn't require seasonal replacement. Leave it on year-round or take it off when the colony's strong enough to defend a full-width entrance — the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.foxhoundbeecompany.com\/blogs\/beekeeping-equipment\/when-do-i-add-or-remove-an-entrance-reducer\"\u003eWhen Do I Add or Remove an Entrance Reducer?\u003c\/a\u003e post on our blog covers the timing question in detail if you're not sure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSeeley-research sizing — entrance dimensions based on Tom Seeley's research into natural bee nest-cavity preferences. Sized for colony defense, not just woodenware fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReversible two-sided design — oblong holes for normal hive use; small holes for moving colonies (ventilated, bee-proof).\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eUniversal sliding fit — adjusts to 8-frame, 10-frame, Flow Hive, Layens, and Warré hive entrances. One reducer, multiple hive types.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEntrance feeder compatible — the only reducer we're aware of that allows simultaneous entrance feeder use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eHeavy-gauge stainless steel — no rust, no warping, year-round use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRobbing protection — the oblong holes reduce the entrance enough for bees to defend against robbing, wasps, and hornets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMouse guard capable — small holes side can serve as a mouse guard through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Use It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost beekeepers reduce the entrance in spring when new packages or nucs are getting established (small colony, harder to defend), and during fall when robbing pressure from other colonies increases. Many leave the reducer on through winter as a mouse guard. A strong mid-summer colony in a full 10-frame setup may not need it at all. See our blog post for the full timing guide: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.foxhoundbeecompany.com\/blogs\/beekeeping-equipment\/when-do-i-add-or-remove-an-entrance-reducer\"\u003eWhen Do I Add or Remove an Entrance Reducer?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeavy-gauge stainless steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesign\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReversible — two sides (oblong holes \/ small holes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUniversal sliding — 8-frame, 10-frame, Flow, Layens, Warré\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle Dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 × 1 × 1 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-Pack Dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 × 3 × 1 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated Reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.foxhoundbeecompany.com\/blogs\/beekeeping-equipment\/when-do-i-add-or-remove-an-entrance-reducer\"\u003eWhen Do I Add or Remove an Entrance Reducer?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.foxhoundbeecompany.com\/blogs\/beekeeping-equipment\/parts-of-a-beehive-the-basic-components\"\u003eParts of a Beehive: The Basic Components\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Need\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/10-frame-wooden-entrance-reducer\"\u003e10 Frame Wooden Entrance Reducer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/foxhound-entrance-feeder\"\u003eFoxhound Entrance Feeder\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/guardian-bee-hive-entrance\"\u003eGuardian Bee Hive Entrance\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBrowse More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/equipment-accessories\"\u003eEquipment Accessories\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/10-frame-hive-parts\"\u003e10-Frame Hive Parts\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Foxhound Bee Company","offers":[{"title":"Single","offer_id":47288953372924,"sku":"Metl Red Single","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4 Pack","offer_id":47288953405692,"sku":"Metl Redu 4 Pck","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0269\/1648\/7234\/files\/Universal-and-Reversible-Metal-Entrance-Reducer-Single-Foxhound-Bee-Company.png?v=1751295835","url":"https:\/\/proudlibertarian.com\/products\/universal-and-reversible-metal-entrance-reducer","provider":"Proud Libertarian","version":"1.0","type":"link"}