swarming

[REDWOOD]

mbc,
What I like about that wbka web article is that it's concise enough for most new beeks to learn/memorize the basic 'indicators' so when they open the hive and find Q cells they'll know what to do.
richard

helped me out no end thats why I recommend it for all new beekeepers, you can download it and slap it on your kindle

 

[wood blewit]

Thanks guys for all of your input its amazing the amount of differing theories you all have it makes me feel good cos you all seem as confused as me thanks again i now have several of your theories to go and read up on no doubt i 'll be back for more advice soon im gettin quite nervous as the bees are gettin more lively

 

[mbc]

mbc,
What I like about that wbka web article is that it's concise enough for most new beeks to learn/memorize the basic 'indicators' so when they open the hive and find Q cells they'll know what to do.
richard

Its original conception was as a portable booklet, easily read as a reminder at the apiary, my point about its usefulness was that without even a brief description of an as it fails miserably at its intended purpose, whereas I fondly remember propping "bees at the bottom of the garden" open on an adjacent hive roof and following it step by step to perform an as.

 

[richardbees]

mbc, ditto and I'm now on my fourth copy of Ted hooper for the same reason but new beeks should be prepared for that first Q cell. imo swarm prevention is key for hobbyist beekeepers....
r

 

[BeeNice]

Thanks guys for all of your input its amazing the amount of differing theories you all have it makes me feel good cos you all seem as confused as me thanks again i now have several of your theories to go and read up on no doubt i 'll be back for more advice soon im gettin quite nervous as the bees are gettin more lively

Don't be nervous, it can be confusing with all the different methods. You can only do your best, swarming is natural, last year was one of the worst on record. If you are not sure what to do when you find a QC don't panic and pull the cells down. Close up, have a think of what to do, whether to split, give more room, think why they are building QC, maybe your old queen not up to it anymore. Then do what you think is right, if it doesn't work out you would have learnt and be better next time.
You still have lots of time to before the first swarm cells will appear, with the weather we are having, but never say never!