Commercial Beekeepers Swarm Control

[Millet]

I was sat thinking earlier and wondered how commercial beekeepers with in excess of 100 hives deal with swarm control, obviously they can not do pagden or demaree as that would require a hell of a lot of spare equipment.
Cheers.
Steve.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Remove the queen as soon as swarm preps are made?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I was sat thinking earlier and wondered how commercial beekeepers with in excess of 100 hives deal with swarm control, obviously they can not do pagden or demaree as that would require a hell of a lot of spare equipment.
Cheers.
Steve.

You might enjoy reading R O B Manleys book on Honey Farming. Some interesting observations to be gleaned despite the passage of the years and the arrival of the varroa mites. ☺

 

[Codford]

You might enjoy reading R O B Manleys book on Honey Farming. Some interesting observations to be gleaned despite the passage of the years and the arrival of the varroa mites. ☺

Seconded - beekeeping in a gentler age...

 

[Swarm]

Re queen every year.

 

[wightbees]

Queen excludes used wrong, I'm not at 100 but I don't have the swarm problems some have! Room is a major factor and restricting the Queen when she is already out of room is the making of trouble, my views but there!

 

[Millet]

Re queen every year.

That was my inexperienced dim thought, which is a shame if a productive Queen is getting Splatted for no reason, but needs must i suppose if a living is needed to be made.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

clipping queens - you may lose some brood production but you don't lose foragers.
I think many commercials change their queens after their second season.