AS positioning of hives.

[Cedar]

Hi all, I expect this has been asked before, but don’t get on with the search.
When doing an artificial swarm control, is it necessary to move hive to one side and then to other side, or could one move original to one side put swarm control in original place and in three days time just swap them around instead of moving original to other side of swarm control hive.
We don’t have a huge apiary, your thoughts much appreciated.
Cedar

 

[Black Comb]

Think about it. The reason for the second move is to ensure, as much as you can, that as many of the flying bees as possible stay with the AS. If you just swop the hives instead of doing the second move the flying bees will all be back in the parent colony, the opposite of what you want.

You might be better going for snelgrove/horsley/demaree if you are short of space. One of the recent Beecrafts had an article on a modified Demaree (although they did not call it that) which looks quite good.

 

[Cedar]

Thanks for relying I was not expecting to be doing swarm control this early in the year.
Cedar

 

[Black Comb]

Actually just reading April editon of Beecfraft. Ken basterfield has an excellent article about split boards which would solve your problem. Well worth a read.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've only ever done the one move but turned the old brood box 90˚
Seems to work.