How to keep drones out of a hive

[Uncle Betty]

We don't know the relationship between "uncle Betty" and irishguy. They may be one and the same (mods might want to check it out?) Or perhaps a minority arrangement?
.

As you like to say yourself, KISS.

There is no relationship of any sort, but please do check it out.

The thread was bumped yesterday after two months, I saw it and was amused by unEasy's intense indignation which hadn't abated in the meantime, it seems.

 

[Uncle Betty]

To borrow a phrase "I'll bet you're a lot of fun at parties"

 

[Uncle Betty]

I catch mites with drone pupae.
.

I know why you're doing it

I just wondered if you have a systematic approach, or do you cut it all out on sight ?

I'm reading a lot here and elsewhere about concerns that large reduction in drone numbers is bad in the long-term for the colony.

 

[Finman]

that large reduction in drone numbers is bad in the long-term for the colony.

How heck? Sky is full of drones in summer. What means long term?
. Bees cannot count.

 

[Uncle Betty]

How heck? Sky is full of drones in summer. What means long term?
. Bees cannot count.

I'm just relating what I have seen in the written word.

You've been around here longer than I have !

 

[Finman]

I'm just relating what I have seen in the written word.
!

90% out of writings are nonsense in beekeeping. Beekeeping cannot be that difficult.
Drone stories are odd.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

90% out of writings are nonsense in beekeeping. .

out of the mouths.................................

 

[Finman]

that large reduction in drone numbers is bad in the long-term for the colony.

When swarm leaves, it has only few drones with it, and so it is the rest of summer.
What then... nothing.

 

[Jafer2]

I know why you're doing it

I just wondered if you have a systematic approach, or do you cut it all out on sight ?

I'm reading a lot here and elsewhere about concerns that large reduction in drone numbers is bad in the long-term for the colony.

Having a drone frame is good if you keep on top of it. The queen more than likey would lay just drones is that frame and as varroa is more inclined on the male you could inspect that tray or remove them in the capping stage killing off most of the cycle and have slightly less drones. Bees want to lay a set ammount of drones no matter what... so let then in one frame

 

[Finman]

Bees want to lay a set ammount of drones no matter what... so let then in one frame

That is dreaming. Natural comb beekeepers write that, because their hives have too much drones.

On 10 frame box one frame of brood is about 10% out of brood. You may valuate , have you such amount.

In natural hives drone brood are about 25% out of brood.

If you do not give drone brood space, bees arrange it themselves. I give to them about 5-7% drone brood space. Then they do not make drones in every gap.

Hives have always enough drones, even if I cut big patches off. And they have laying queens.
.You cannot pick them all off.

 

[Uncle Betty]

That is dreaming. Natural comb beekeepers write that, because their hives have too much drones.

On 10 frame box one frame of brood is about 10% out of brood. You may valuate , have you such amount.

In natural hives drone brood are about 25% out of brood.

If you do not give drone brood space, bees arrange it themselves. I give to them about 5-7% drone brood space. Then they do not make drones in every gap.

Hives have always enough drones, even if I cut big patches off. And they have laying queens.
.You cannot pick them all off.

And do you ever use the queen-trapping method of varroa-control ?

 

[Finman]

And do you ever use the queen-trapping method of varroa-control ?

I was going to do that, but then I did not have time to do those cages.

 

[Uncle Betty]

I was going to do that, but then I did not have time to do those cages.

Ok, thanks for taking the time to reply.