Swarm after inspection or just a coincidence?

BeeBelle · Jun 25, 2024

Had a few cases recently where I have inspected the hive, and then the day after they have swarmed. Some I knew I needed to do splits with to prevent but haven’t got anywhere to put them, but I just wondered if there might be a pattern of swarming after I have inspected the hive if I have disrupted them or let all the heat in in this warm weather or if it’s just a coincidence? Anyone else found this?

Erichalfbee · Jun 25, 2024

Not for me. The colony would have been ready to go anyway.

ericbeaumont · Jun 25, 2024

BeeBelle said:
I have inspected the hive

Did you look for QCs, and did you find any?

BeeBelle said:
the day after they have swarmed

Yes, if sealed QCs were in the hive, which you would have seen the day before.

BeeBelle said:
haven’t got anywhere to put them

Split vertically: BB with 10f foundation on the floor; add 1f of brood inc. queen, then supers, split board, rest of brood+1f foundation (entrance facing differently), then supers. Knock down QCs in this BB to one, repeat 7 days later, leave for 3 weeks and then look for eggs.

https://theapiarist.org/split-boards/

jarmo henttu · Jun 25, 2024

BeeBelle said:
Had a few cases recently where I have inspected the hive, and then the day after they have swarmed. Some I knew I needed to do splits with to prevent but haven’t got anywhere to put them, but I just wondered if there might be a pattern of swarming after I have inspected the hive if I have disrupted them or let all the heat in in this warm weather or if it’s just a coincidence? Anyone else found this?

Never heard

jenkinsbrynmair · Jun 25, 2024

BeeBelle said:
Some I knew I needed to do splits with to prevent but haven’t got anywhere to put them

that seems to be the answer - you knew they were on the point of swarming but you didn't take any preventative action

user 819 · Jun 25, 2024

No coincedence if you checked the colonies and sealed QC's were seen, as has been said they were primed to go (pun not intended). With poor weather as little as two weeks ago , three of mine have made swarm preps. My Q's are clipped so they won't go far may be 8 - 10 ft , two delayed swarming until the first nice day we had last week and by then new emerging queens were only a couple of days away.