Dissuading early swarming

[MrMouse]

Hi folks,

Whilst I appreciate we aren't out of the woods yet with temperatures set to dip again next week and no reliable nectar sources, I'm pleased that I've got 10 colonies through to this point in the year.

I went around them today and lifted a few crownboards (but certainly didn't move any frames) - all of the colonies I looked at were absolutely bursting at the seams with bees covering all frames/seams.
All are on national single broods

I'm keen to stay one step ahead of them if I can and I'm therefore wondering what steps to take (and when) to reduce the chance of swarming earlier in the season.
My priorities this year are honey production without making too much of an increase if at all possible.

Given this, am I better to add another brood box under the existing (I'd rather avoid double brood this early in the year if possible) or stick a super on top nice and early?

Or, just relax and not worry?

Thanks

 

[Erichalfbee]

Demaree?
https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/demaree.46464/

 

[Penninetrader]

Hi folks,

Whilst I appreciate we aren't out of the woods yet with temperatures set to dip again next week and no reliable nectar sources, I'm pleased that I've got 10 colonies through to this point in the year.

I went around them today and lifted a few crownboards (but certainly didn't move any frames) - all of the colonies I looked at were absolutely bursting at the seams with bees covering all frames/seams.
All are on national single broods

I'm keen to stay one step ahead of them if I can and I'm therefore wondering what steps to take (and when) to reduce the chance of swarming earlier in the season.
My priorities this year are honey production without making too much of an increase if at all possible.

Given this, am I better to add another brood box under the existing (I'd rather avoid double brood this early in the year if possible) or stick a super on top nice and early?

Or, just relax and not worry?

Thanks

If you ask yourself some questions I think you will be able to advise yourself somewhat. My first question, how quickly did you get to 10 colonies and what route did that take, have you had any of your colonies swarm in the past and how prolific are they at queen cells. Do you know the ages of your queens, they are clearly very productive. As for the super early days, once we appear to be clear of the cold days, which should come earlier for you in Dorset, I would myself do that. I am sure others will have different ideas but in the end it will be down to you, best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[Do224]

Hi folks,

Whilst I appreciate we aren't out of the woods yet with temperatures set to dip again next week and no reliable nectar sources, I'm pleased that I've got 10 colonies through to this point in the year.

I went around them today and lifted a few crownboards (but certainly didn't move any frames) - all of the colonies I looked at were absolutely bursting at the seams with bees covering all frames/seams.
All are on national single broods

I'm keen to stay one step ahead of them if I can and I'm therefore wondering what steps to take (and when) to reduce the chance of swarming earlier in the season.
My priorities this year are honey production without making too much of an increase if at all possible.

Given this, am I better to add another brood box under the existing (I'd rather avoid double brood this early in the year if possible) or stick a super on top nice and early?

Or, just relax and not worry?

Thanks

I decided to double brood my strongest colonies early last Spring (around the first week of April) with a view to knock back swarm preps a few weeks. Whilst it did do that to some extent, I also feel that it reduced my honey yield drastically. By mid season I was still struggling to get the bees filling supers, despite rotating brood boxes. They seemed pretty content storing honey around the brood nest. So this year I’ll be trying demarees instead…

 

[Tu Pham]

Hi folks,

Whilst I appreciate we aren't out of the woods yet with temperatures set to dip again next week and no reliable nectar sources, I'm pleased that I've got 10 colonies through to this point in the year.

I went around them today and lifted a few crownboards (but certainly didn't move any frames) - all of the colonies I looked at were absolutely bursting at the seams with bees covering all frames/seams.
All are on national single broods

I'm keen to stay one step ahead of them if I can and I'm therefore wondering what steps to take (and when) to reduce the chance of swarming earlier in the season.
My priorities this year are honey production without making too much of an increase if at all possible.

Given this, am I better to add another brood box under the existing (I'd rather avoid double brood this early in the year if possible) or stick a super on top nice and early?

Or, just relax and not worry?

Thanks

Best to start demeree before they get the swarm impulse. This is what I’m planning as I have 16 colonies and have brought enough equipment now for doing demeree. I’m also experimenting with extra new bb BELOW main bb so that the colony can expand downwards while still keeping brood warm near the upper top bb. After this, I hope to have enough resources to start my first ever queen breeding attempt.

 

[beeker]

Best to start demeree before they get the swarm impulse. This is what I’m planning as I have 16 colonies and have brought enough equipment now for doing demeree. I’m also experimenting with extra new bb BELOW main bb so that the colony can expand downwards while still keeping brood warm near the upper top bb. After this, I hope to have enough resources to start my first ever queen breeding attempt.

Similar plans to you, fellow shroppie . Struggle to get to club apiary as work wed and sat but follow on the what's app group.
Had some fairly bad losses early winter, and not through it yet, mainly queen failures I think, bar one which was totally my fault. But has given me the chance while numbers are low to switch totally to langstroth this year.

 

[Penninetrader]

Langstroth ?

 

[beeker]

Langstroth ?

Sorry for the confusion @Penninetrader the Lang bit is nothing to do with dissuading swarming. . Merely part of my plan for the year