SWARM PREVENTION. double brood boxes.. plenty of supers . Young queens
THEN when it has all failed SWARM CONTROL.
A.S or may try a demaree. Make up nucs and requeen with appropriate stock.
It's too early for a shook swarm, remember most of your bees are very old now and need desperately to pass on to the next generation they don't need a big setback this early in the season. Treat for the varroa now and then let them build up if you MUST split them.
Along side roads I would think it would be charlock.as for there being no rape in the area this year bees will go a fair way, it is safer to assume there is some rather than have it set in comb.
[ladders !
How often are you tempted to go just one wrung higher for that nice big swarm ?
Never. when i get to the top i stop for some strange reason, its the same every time....... wierd perhaps i will try it.
:sorry:
i suffered 2 or 3 a week, tried the usual medication which did very little to help then i tried feverfew capsules after a recommendation and they stopped it nearly dead in its tracks. i dont really go for herbal remedys but its got to be worth a try. good luck.
If you breed calmer bee's you will hardly need gloves. personally I am getting into AMM and they are so nice that I don't need gloves all the time or even a veil sometimes.