Swarm Prevention for Honey Beesby: Marcus Moyers

beeman.2@netzero.netTVBA Meeting February, 23, 2009

Tennessee Valley Beekeeping Association Mission Statement:“To promote the study, science and craft of beekeeping and to provide education and encouragement to all Tennessee Valley Beekeepers.”

Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees

1. What Makes a Swarm?• Definition• What Actions Start Taking Place?• New Queen in Cell.• Piping Sound.• Purpose of the Piping Sound.• The Chain Saw Sound.

Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees

2. When Swarms Typically Occur• Times of the year• Shook Swarming• Various queen issues• When there are swarm issues,

i.e. weather issues

Swarm Prevention for Honey Bees

3. Some Swarm Behavior Questions:• What is swarm behavior?• Why does it occur:• Once a swarm starts, can it

it be stopped?• Can bees sting during a

swarm?• What happens to the remaining

hive, now?

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

4. Aspects of Swarms• Be informed, and be prepared

ahead of time.• Hive components needed.• Use drawn combs or

foundation.• Deep hive body vs. nuc

(nucleus) box.• Exercising good

practical judgment.

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

5. Preventing Swarms• When to re-queen, spring

or fall?• Relieving overcrowding• Over-supering, what is the

advantage?

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

6. Discovering Queen

In the Hive• When looking into your

hives.• Take notice of the queen`s

laying pattern.• Examine physical shape of

the queen.

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

7. More About When You Find

Queen Cells• The decision to save the

queen.• Cutting out queen cells.• Splitting a hive.

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

8. Catching Swarms (Question: How do you do it?

Answer: Very carefully!)

• Has the homeowner tampered

with the swarm?• Some transportation do`s and

don'ts.• Other misadventures?

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

9. Hiving a Swarm• Importance of having the

right equipment ready.• Sheet on the ground method.• The use of nine frames and why.• How to use smoke during this

activity.

Swarm Prevention of Honey Bees

10. Quick Review of Swarm

Swarm Prevention• Watch for overcrowding• Watch for increase in population• Watch weather conditions• Understand what wet/rainy

conditions can do• Learn your hives by working

and observing them.