Demaree - drones down south so tempted to do one

[citrus]

Want to expand this year so keen to get on with a demaree on one of my hives that is looking strongest - drones out in the hives but given the cold weather (esp at nights) ..... should I hang back ?

I think I waited the other year and blew it as they started with the queen cells !

Yours in sarf london

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’m in Wales and I nearly did two today. I’m hanging back for a week. That might be a mistake.

 

[Swarm]

It really does depend on the status of your colony, is it strong enough at the moment? I added two supers to a double brood today, it's a good, strong colony and drones are about but not in great numbers just yet. Next inspection will probably be D day.

 

[enrico]

All my hives have two supers now. The first ones are well on the way!

 

[jeff33]

As Steve said, it's about the state of the colony, nothing else. I have done 2 demaree to date with one of the hive on its 3rd super. I have added a 2nd brood box on another hive with 10 frames of brood.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'll probably be doing half a dozen or so next week

 

[jeff33]

I'll probably be doing half a dozen or so next week

I can't remember when I started doing them last year, should have written it down.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I can't remember when I started doing them last year, should have written it down.

I do note my records - but this is the earliest I can remember doing (or having to do) them

 

[Erichalfbee]

I do note my records - but this is the earliest I can remember doing (or having to do) them

I did one on the 23rd last year

 

[jeff33]

I did one on the 23rd last year

I recall the hives building up really early with the nice weather we had from the end of March.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I recall the hives building up really early with the nice weather we had from the end of March.

Yes then it all went downhill and it rained for the rest of the year

 

[jeff33]

Yes then it all went downhill and it rained for the rest of the year

Don't curse it now Dani, I have grand plans for the season

 

[Erichalfbee]

Don't curse it now Dani, I have grand plans for the season

I know....sorry
I can be a miserable git sometimes....it's self defence

 

[citrus]

thanks all ... suns out today so might be brave ! but then looking at the forecst it is still cold next week .......gos i hate being a Libran !

 

[StephenT]

Want to expand this year so keen to get on with a demaree on one of my hives that is looking strongest - drones out in the hives but given the cold weather (esp at nights) ..... should I hang back ?

I think I waited the other year and blew it as they started with the queen cells !

Yours in sarf london

I should have done it on my most prolific hive 4 weeks ago when it was packed on brood and a half and 2 supers. Hesitated due to the colder weather and next time I looked 2 weeks later there were a shed load of swarm cells so had to do an A/S.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

West London here. My one I hastily did 3 weeks or so ago worked like a charm. Ive done another 2.and have my eye on another 2 in a couple of weeks. Ive added my drone-release boards as per Emyr's suggestions. Already taken some lovely QCs for increase...

 

[Antipodes]

West London here. My one I hastily did 3 weeks or so ago worked like a charm. Ive done another 2.and have my eye on another 2 in a couple of weeks. Ive added my drone-release boards as per Emyr's suggestions. Already taken some lovely QCs for increase...

Fabulous!

 

[citrus]

Finally did it today at lunch time .... and this is the first time I confidently found the queen and ensured she was in the bottom box ! - previous years have been tragic with shaking bees into the bottom box.

@jenkinsbrynmair I left the queen on one frame of brood in teh bottom brood box ... so at least she has some company .....trust that is ok

now restacked nicely and hope n pray we get some good supercedure queen cells for me to increase - also have a super on top of the stack with a release hole for the drones.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

i've done a fair few now too this season...all seem to be going well

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

@jenkinsbrynmair I left the queen on one frame of brood in teh bottom brood box ... so at least she has some company .....trust that is ok

Perfect - did just that on two colonies earlier, and yesterday, and Sunday.....