How to Prevent Swarming of Bees | Learn Step by Step with Bruce White

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps to prevent swarming in bee colonies, particularly during early spring. Swarming can significantly impact honey production, as it results in the loss of a large portion of your bee population. By following the outlined steps, you can maintain a healthy and productive hive.

Chapter 1: Understanding Swarming

• Swarming is a natural process for honey bees to increase their numbers.
• A colony prepares for swarming by creating approximately 12 queen cells on the bottom edge of the frames.
• Swarming typically occurs 2-3 days before the queen cells hatch, about 16 days after the queen lays the eggs.

Chapter 2: Recognizing External Signs of Swarming

• Increased Bee Activity: If you notice many bees flying in and out of the hive, especially across the entrance, it indicates a strong colony that may swarm.
• Bees Hanging Outside: Large numbers of bees clustering outside the hive suggest overcrowding, which is a common cause of swarming.
• Exhausted Bees: Bees returning from foraging may appear exhausted, indicating a good nectar flow, often seen in spring.

Chapter 3: Inspecting for Overcrowding

• Remove the lid and check for bees resting on it, a sign of overcrowding.
• Examine the frames for bee density; if all frames are populated and bees are above the frames, it indicates a strong colony.

Chapter 4: Assessing Brood Conditions

• Inspect the brood box for:
  • Drone Cells: Presence of drone cells can indicate a prosperous colony that may swarm.
  • Dummy Queen Cells: These are not swarm cells but could indicate a potential for swarming.
  • Sealed and Unsealed Brood: Healthy colonies will have a mix, indicating active breeding.

Chapter 5: Steps to Prevent Swarming

1. Expand the Hive Cavity:

   • Add a super to provide more space. Use new combs or frames of foundation to keep bees occupied.
   • Place the super above the queen excluder to minimize the distance bees need to travel.

2. Reduce Congestion:

   • Remove some frames of sealed brood and shake the bees at the hive entrance, allowing the queen to remain in the hive.
   • Alternate frames of sealed brood with empty frames to give the queen more space to lay eggs.

3. Reassemble the Hive:

   • After spacing the frames, replace the queen excluder and the super. Ensure there’s enough room for honey storage as well.

4. Monitor for Queen Cells:

   • Check the brood in the super five days after moving frames above the excluder to ensure no queen cells have started.

Chapter 6: Transferring Bees to Weak Colonies

• Remove frames from a strong colony that contain nurse bees. Shake these frames at the entrance of a weaker colony to introduce the bees without causing fights.

Chapter 7: Using the Demaree Method

• This method involves splitting your hive using a Demaree board, which allows for controlled swarming:
  1. Rotate the hive 180 degrees to disorient the bees.
  2. Use the board to create two separate colonies.
  3. Monitor both colonies to ensure they remain healthy and productive.

Chapter 8: Uniting Colonies

• If you manage two colonies and want to reduce swarming, you can unite them using newspaper:
  • Place a sheet of newspaper between the two colonies. The bees will chew through it and merge without fighting.

Conclusion

By recognizing the signs of swarming and implementing preventive measures, you can effectively manage your bee colonies to avoid the loss of bees and honey production. Regular inspections and timely interventions are key to maintaining a healthy hive. Remember to check for brood diseases and ensure biosecurity practices are in place to protect your bees. Happy beekeeping!