Swarm and supercedure story so far!

[jeff33]

It really seems to be the story of the season so far. Around 8 of my hives have superceded or are in the process off doing so and had to do a few split (congestion was probably my fault for some ). Also had a couple of swarms from demaree which were done about 3 weeks ago. Luckily queens were clipped.

I haven't had a drop of honey which is a first as I usually get a descent spring crop from the dandelion and hawthorn.

 

[enrico]

It really seems to be the story of the season so far. Around 8 of my hives have superceded or are in the process off doing so and had to do a few split (congestion was probably my fault for some ). Also had a couple of swarms from demaree which were done about 3 weeks ago. Luckily queens were clipped.

I haven't had a drop of honey which is a first as I usually get a descent spring crop from the dandelion and hawthorn.

You might be getting a spring crop from bramble..... It's been open a week here!

 

[Moody]

It really seems to be the story of the season so far. Around 8 of my hives have superceded or are in the process off doing so and had to do a few split (congestion was probably my fault for some ). Also had a couple of swarms from demaree which were done about 3 weeks ago. Luckily queens were clipped.

I haven't had a drop of honey which is a first as I usually get a descent spring crop from the dandelion and hawthorn.

Hi I've done a demaree for the first time in my 1st year. Would be interested to know more about the swarms you experienced. Can you share any advice/tips?
Thanks

 

[The Poot]

It really seems to be the story of the season so far. Around 8 of my hives have superceded or are in the process off doing so and had to do a few split (congestion was probably my fault for some ). Also had a couple of swarms from demaree which were done about 3 weeks ago. Luckily queens were clipped.

I haven't had a drop of honey which is a first as I usually get a descent spring crop from the dandelion and hawthorn.

Any idea as to why so many supercedures?

 

[Wingy]

Mine have done exactly the same. 21 colonies all came through winter strong and very early started swarm prep. Some 2020 & some 2021 Q’s didn’t make a difference. Done a load of splits, Snelgrove etc as swarm control & re combining. But since the artificial swarms I’ve had 6 superceeding. No idea why as queens look fine & laying well. Honey crop is also down on what I expected

 

[jeff33]

You might be getting a spring crop from bramble..... It's been open a week here

This and clover are usually my main flow starting to flower towards the 3rd week of June. Both are starting now so perhaps 1 crop this year?

Any idea as to why so many supercedures

Nope, they were all 21 queens mostly done through demaree so should have produced healthy ones. Had a few being superceded post demaree, perhaps the bees thought the lack of brood was a sign of failure?

 

[jeff33]

You should only do a demaree as a preventive way, not reactive. I always do mine when I have 7 frames of brood and the bees are over 8-9 frames. If they have 1 super in between they tend not to make Qcs but they will if you have 2 or more supers.
I don't know why 1 has tried to swarm, they usually don't if it has been done properly, ieh before they had started swarm preps.

 

[Moody]

You should only do a demaree as a preventive way, not reactive. I always do mine when I have 7 frames of brood and the bees are over 8-9 frames. If they have 1 super in between they tend not to make Qcs but they will if you have 2 or more supers.
I don't know why 1 has tried to swarm, they usually don't if it has been done properly, ieh before they had started swarm preps.

I'm a first year BK, did the demarre 4 days ago when I saw two charged queen cups. Will it still work?
If done as reactive, what will happen?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I'm a first year BK, did the demarre 4 days ago when I saw two charged queen cups. Will it still work?
If done as reactive, what will happen?

they may well swarm regardless, and usually do unless you're lucky.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I'm a first year BK, did the demarre 4 days ago when I saw two charged queen cups. Will it still work?
If done as reactive, what will happen?

I’d just convert it to an AS of some kind straightaway

 

[jeff33]

If done as reactive, what will happen?

Likely they will swarm, especially if you have just separated with Qx. Do a split or nuc the queen.

 

[Moody]

Likely they will swarm, especially if you have just separated with Qx. Do a split or nuc the queen.

I have BB, Qx, 2x supper's, Qx, BB

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well I’d still split or do nothing and see what happens