Late season Swarm control tactics

[Grif]

As we move away from the most frenetic part of the swarm season I was wondering if different tactics are appropriate that may resolve the swarm fever in August, but would not have worked in May / June. For example, if you find QCs in August, is it possible that no AS is necessary and merely continually destroying the QCs every week will put them off swarming as they realise it is too late in the season to produce a viable swarm at this time?

 

[B+.]

I was wondering if different tactics are appropriate that may resolve the swarm fever in August, but would not have worked in May / June.

Are we talking of swarm control here or supercedure? Some colonies will supercede late in the season (when there are still plenty of drones around) but few will swarm this late. They'd have little chance of survival if they did.

 

[Eyeman]

Hi
I stop routine inspections in mid July after that I just keep piling the supers on till end of August unless the behavior of the colony causes concern, in which case I open them up.
End of August frames in colonies are adjusted for winter and approx 20-25% of my clipped queens have been superceded or I've lost a swarm or two!.

 

[beeno]

Hi Grif, Bees don't go by the calendar just the forage availability and weather and the conditions in the hive - large enough colony to swarm, room for bees/brood, age of queen. No other tricks than normal swarm prevention methods, but once they start making QC you are into swarm control. Sorry no easy fixes. Try to be ahead of the curve less work than dealing with swarming.

 

[drex]

Hi
I stop routine inspections in mid July after that I just keep piling the supers on till end of August unless the behavior of the colony causes concern, in which case I open them

Called out yesterday to collect a large swarm. Still doing weekly inspections myself

 

[madasafish]

Called out yesterday to collect a large swarm. Still doing weekly inspections myself

I just looked at your respective locations .. and thought both replies are area dependent.

 

[snelgrove]

I had a swarm given to me yesterday by local pest officer, quite large with a laying queen as small piece of comb with eggs visible. obviously not to late for the occasional swarm.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Still on weeklies (ish) Redwood phoned earlier, just picked up a swarm near his, one near me last week - still swarmingstrong in this area

 

[wessexmario]

Grif,
it would help us to help you if you put a less imprecise location than UK in your profile,
county or nearest city would help you to get more appropriate answers.

 

[Dadnlad]

Called out yesterday to collect a large swarm. Still doing weekly inspections myself

Same here for a few more weeks yet, picked up a large swarm (hopefully prime) from an allotment this evening and hived in a box of drawn comb with qx under

 

[Mrs Shoot]

Picked up a large swarm today as well after a couple of quiet weeks. Still doing weekly checks on mine. Found charged Q's in a hive a couple if days ago, do did an AS.

 

[Grif]

Good point, well put. Updated location in profile. Don't remember being asked when signed up

 

[YorkshireBees]

I have had 3-4 Swarm calls in the last 3 days. Couldn't attend any as I was at the Great Yorkshire Show and am off to check my own hives today so swarming is still rife in my area.

 

[Jimmys Mum]

Yep I have 2 hives still trying to take off here as well.

 

[RogueDrone]

Swarm arrived in one of my bait hives yesterday.

 

[REDWOOD]

I had a swarm call last september, I'm still doing weekly inspections. If you plan on removing supers remember that a crowded brood box will lead to swarming

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have one determined to go despite being re-queened

 

[enrico]

My swarms are swarming! Aaahhhgggg!
E