Demaree Method

[GaryB]

As a matter of interest. Those on the forum that practice the Demaree method of swarm prevention.

If after completing the manipulation, and not wanting increase, how many further manipulations on the same hive have forum members had to perform in the same season, or, if the initial manipulation is carried out correctly, does this tend to suppress the swarming urge for the rest of the season.

I know bees are unpredictable when it comes to swarming, but just wondered if any members have had to Demaree the same hive more than once in a season.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

You keep on going until you're happy thr swarming season is over - it's not just the one manipulation and end of.
Go in every week, take some more brood from the bottom and swap with emerged frames from the top - tear down any QC's if you don't need them.

 

[GaryB]

You keep on going until you're happy thr swarming season is over - it's not just the one manipulation and end of.
Go in every week, take some more brood from the bottom and swap with emerged frames from the top - tear down any QC's if you don't need them.

Thanks JBM, as I thought, it is an ongoing process throughout the season. This will be my preferred method for next season, as it seems to be a good logical method.

Have you ever had a hive, when after just one manipulation, they have been put off swarming?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Have you ever had a hive, when after just one manipulation, they have been put off swarming?

It is best done before any signs of swarm preparation.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It is best done before any signs of swarm preparation.

If there are QC's before you start, it's too late in most instances and yes, depending on colony strength and the time of season, sometimes the one manipulation can be enough

 

[Swarm]

It is also a good method of improving stock from the queen cells of a Demarree colony with a queen possessing good traits.

 

[GaryB]

Thanks guys

 

[masterBK]

Demaree is an excellent swarm prevention technique if carried out properly and at the right time of colony development in late spring and I have carried this out for the last 40+ years. Only three out of my 25 colonies attempted to swarm in 2016 (and none succeeded in producing prime swarms. However it is not for those who are frail and unable to lift off and later replace (the often heavy) brood chambers off the top of the hive unless they have access to someone who will do the lifting for them.

 

[YorkshireBees]

Demaree is an excellent swarm prevention technique if carried out properly and at the right time of colony development in late spring and I have carried this out for the last 40+ years. Only three out of my 25 colonies attempted to swarm in 2016 (and none succeeded in producing prime swarms. However it is not for those who are frail and unable to lift off and later replace (the often heavy) brood chambers off the top of the hive unless they have access to someone who will do the lifting for them.

and would add that having used it for just the last 4-5 seasons you can / will end up with very large colonies (when successful) so it may not be for everyone!

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Any help in deciding when the right time to start doing it....can this method be used with double brood ??

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Any help in deciding when the right time to start doing it....can this method be used with double brood ??

With single brood, my benchmark is when the colony is really vigorous and there are more than eight frames of brood (usually about the time the second super goes on) and you would usually start worrying about swarm inspections.

I don't do double brood but the same goes for the vigour of the colony - but instead of putting a third box topmost you can split what you have leaving the queen mostly on empty frames and the brood in the Q- box

 

[Swarm]

On double brood, I split the boxes at some point, similar to JBM. Simple job of arranging the frames to suit and when (if) backfilling starts to overtake brood emerging, I revert them back to double brood. I've not needed a third brood box like Yorkshire Bees has ... thankfully.