Swarm Control Notes for Talk by Alan Iacopi

There seem to he as many ways of dealing with the bees as there are beekeepers - and often their opinions seem to be contradictory. Much in beekeeping is folklore, for which there seems to be a sort of logic but often this does not stand up to scientific scrutiny. Many beekeepers are budding authors and just have to write their book about how they did it. This is OK for over-winter reading but be aware that the next book will advocate something different! Probably the best advice will come from the branch member who has agreed to assist you. - But consider the following: -

· Make sure that time is devoted to bee keeping - avoid making Excuses!

· Consider the advantage of going into double brood boxes.

· Understand your bees - Carniolans may be more likely to swarm if space is limited.

· Understand and be ready to carry out ONE swarm control method. Learn this well. It will help if the queen is MARKED and CLIPPED and you are able and ready to SHAKE bees off frames.

Consider the following TWO possibilities that start from a simple method going to the more complex. There are advantages and disadvantages.

METHOD A.

ADVANTAGES :

· No additional equipment

· No bees lost

· A good honey crop

· No further 'swarm' inspections this season - but need to check all is well - new queen laying etc. about weeks after leaving one queen cell.

· No addition to stocks.

· NB need to be very thorough that no other queen cells can be raised – check/remove.

METHOD B.

Note: BQ is 1 frame of brood with queen on it (remove Q cells if any)

ADVANTAGES :

· Flying bees from A will join the box B which acts like a swarm foundation and is drawn

rapidly and a huge foraging force (with little brood to tend) collects honey and pollen like crazy.Because A is relatively depleted it is unlikely to produce cast swarms but it is easy to remove all but one open cell for 3 or 4 days after setting at site B. Remove all but 1 cell which will be capped by then.

• A can be left for a new queen to emerge, mate and start laying to give an additional stock.
• After taking the honey off A can be united with B ( after the old queen in B has been killed off) to give a double brood box for over-wintering and the next season.

DISADVANTAGE

· Spare hive and stand needed.