Snelgrove questions

[Wingy]

Looking at ideas this season for swarm control and getting a bit of honey this year. Was thinking of going down the Snelgrove method but have a couple of questions I just can’t seem to find the answer or it’s unclear.
1) in the bottom box with Q do you use foundation so the bees think they have swarmed?
2) if yes to 1) do they need any stores or are they ok with access to the supers via QX
3) top brood box, if your constantly bleeding off the foragers are they dependant on the stores within the brood box as they don’t have access to the supers?
Thanks in advance

 

[Beefriendly]

Lots of variations but essentially Snelgrove Method 1 is a preemptive swarm control and is done before any queen cells are present and the queen remains in the bottom box. For foundation use what you have, drawn is probably preferable to undrawn.

Snelgrove Method 2...for when you see queen cells, the queen goes into the top box along with the queen cells (which they tear down). After 4 or 5 days you now remove her from top box and add her to bottom.
Don't get too hung up on the timings....they are very flexible.

Just use your judgement regarding stores; there is no cast in iron philosophy here. If low add some. In practise you rarely need to do so.

 

[enrico]

http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/snelgrove.html

You have probably read this but it is the best I found
E

 

[Wingy]

Thanks guys, fingers crossed should have 3 good hives come spring. Plan is to keep them as strong as possible for the early & main flow then use the top brood box with new Q to make up 3 new hives in time to build up during the later HB & ivy flow.

 

[Beefriendly]

Don't worry, the bees will do their best to bugger up your best laid plans....mine do..