Shawn, the queen will not defend her colony, that is not her job, the bees do. If you have laying workers, I must wonder if you have a queen even there? Have you checked lately to see if she is present, that could be why the numbers of the colony are so low, if there is not a queen. Sometimes when there is such a severe robbing of a colony, one has to completely close off the entrance so none can get in or out, like with a piece of mesh or something, so there is still air flow. It won't hurt the colony to be locked up for a couple of days. Sounds like your colony needs some help. Have a wonderful day, Cindi