Swarm control/management

[Erichalfbee]

With so many manipulations going awry can I just offer a little advice?
Please please be armed with enough kit ( a spare hive for each in use and a nuc) Please Please have a look at some methods and maybe print off to take them to the apiary?
If you take a recipe for an artificial swarm and add your own ingredients don't be surprised if if doesn't turn out looking like the picture in the cookery book. The instructions are there for a purpose.
This is a generalisation not aimed at anybody in particular.

Also it's sensible to find your queen before you do anything with her queen cells

 

[mjt68]

With so many manipulations going awry can I just offer a little advice?
Please please be armed with enough kit ( a spare hive for each in use and a nuc) Please Please have a look at some methods and maybe print off to take them to the apiary?
If you take a recipe for an artificial swarm and add your own ingredients don't be surprised if if doesn't turn out looking like the picture in the cookery book. The instructions are there for a purpose.
This is a generalisation not aimed at anybody in particular.

Also it's sensible to find your queen before you do anything with her queen cells

Great advice. I'd add to make sure that you understand the purpose of each step in any swarm control procedure, and how it helps to achieve the overall aim, as this will increase the chance you do it right.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Great advice. I'd add to make sure that you understand the purpose of each step in any swarm control procedure, and how it helps to achieve the overall aim, as this will increase the chance you do it right.

You're right I know it takes time and application but if you bother to learn the life cycle of bees and how they work you are more than half way to not making silly mistakes too

 

[alldigging]

With so many manipulations going awry can I just offer a little advice?
Please please be armed with enough kit ( a spare hive for each in use and a nuc) Please Please have a look at some methods and maybe print off to take them to the apiary?
If you take a recipe for an artificial swarm and add your own ingredients don't be surprised if if doesn't turn out looking like the picture in the cookery book. The instructions are there for a purpose.
This is a generalisation not aimed at anybody in particular.

Also it's sensible to find your queen before you do anything with her queen cells

Very good advice!
Bee prepared!

 

[bingevader]

If you take a recipe for an artificial swarm and add your own ingredients don't be surprised if if doesn't turn out looking like the picture in the cookery book. The instructions are there for a purpose.

I always alter the recipes in my cookery book and the food is lovely!
I've always tried very hard to follow the instructions in the bee books, but my bees very often don't!

 

[Zante]

I always alter the recipes in my cookery book and the food is lovely!
I've always tried very hard to follow the instructions in the bee books, but my bees very often don't!

I too alter recipes, but because I know the ingredients and I know how they interact. Experience in cooking, you might say.
To anyone who has just started cooking I always say to follow the recipes and learn about the ingredients, and then start modifying them slightly once they gained some experience and see the result. If someone starts out by modifying recipes with little or no experience you might end up with a bacon Victoria sandwich.