Play cups, bad weather but need to inspect.

[richardbees]

LeB

imo Swarm prevention by regular weekly inspections takes priority over everything else in the "swarming season"

richard

 

[Sadders]

I had this dilemma today. Last inspection last weekend BB was getting crowded, plenty of drones and lots of play cups. The right ingredients to trigger swarming behaviour.

The problem is the forecast for this weekend has been terrible. Fortunately this morning was dry (threatening rain) but windy. Did a very quick inspection an no QCs as far as I could see.

Hopefully next weekend will be fine. With a bit of luck I will find a QC and will AS them.

Planned to do this last year to double up as winter insurance. Lost a swarm instead.

 

[Loubee7]

LeB

imo Swarm prevention by regular weekly inspections takes priority over everything else in the "swarming season"

richard

That's good to hear, as my bees are in the same boat as LeB, and I have started to see play cups, so was thinking about posting the same and seeing what people's thoughts were for inspections and the weather!

 

[oliver90owner]

Cannot see any point in waiting and hoping for swarm mode to set in. It is about the right time to demaree for controlled superCedure cells rather than wait for the problems of having to A/S.

Being in control and maintaining a strong foraging force is far a better way to be keeping bees. Proactive instead of reactive. A degree of certainty rather than waiting on pot luck. Less risk of something going wrong. All ways round, a better way to go.