Swarming
is the honey bee’s natural and instinctive method of reproduction and
dispersal, and so it is hard for beekeepers to change. The most common
type of swarming is where one colony buds off another and the parent
colony continues in existence. Another kind of swarming is absconding,
where a whole colony deserts a hive. This is much less common in
Arkansas. Most swarming occurs from early March to early June, before the main honey flow when large amounts of brood are being raised, the adult population is increasing rapidly, and food supplies may be erratic. There is no single cause of swarming, just as there is no single method of swarm prevention. Swarming is stimulated by a complex combination of factors, none of which on its own will usually cause swarming.
It is far better beekeeping to prevent swarming preparations from being made, rather than try to stop a swarm from leaving the hive, but swarm prevention techniques must be compatible with profitable colony management. There are a number of management systems described as swarm control techniques, most of which are very complicated. A good swarm prevention method must reduce swarming with as little interference to the colony as possible. Some of the better swarm prevention mechanisms include:
Despite the best intentions, not all beekeepers have swarm prevention completely up to scratch, and occasionally remedial control measures have to be taken (such as cutting out queen cells when swarm preparations are detected), but these must not be regarded as a substitute for good prevention. Adapter from an article by Practical Beekeeping - Andrew Matheson NOTE: Swarming in Northwest Arkansas usually occurs between April 15 and June 1st. Some members have found Checkerboarding – A Swarm Control Method purported by Walt Wright and published in Point of View on Beesource to be beneficial. Walt has written several articles on Swarming. Walt says: “Checkerboarding is what we call removing frames 3, 5 and 7 of honey in the top hive body and feed box and substituting empty brood comb. The intent is to provide continuous storage cells to the super above; a perforation of their honey dome. The bees should not have much trouble maintaining their band of feed honey in the empty comb because honey is available in adjacent combs.” |
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