When to Demaree

JonnyPicklechin · Mar 27, 2020

Hi all

First a hello to all mentors, old and young alike, board-friends and fellow apiarists...a happy spring to you all...Ive been reading posts but been quiet. Its sounds for the most part as most members are well... Wishing everyone non-hugs-and-elbow-bumps in the current madness...

I have not inspected first one yet but will over the weekend. I can see I have one single brood going crazy with activity so am anticipating a demaree as I have not tried it yet and wish to try at least a couple of hives. That said I wont do it for the sake of it so was just getting a quick refresh on some points:

1) If there are cups with RJ but no drones or drone brood, any reason to proceed?
2) Does using a Snelgrove concern anyone? Or should I make the division very clear and avoid any scent transfer (just think about what hardware I have spare).
3) Any other favourite snippets of wisdom about this procedure that are worth pushing out as a heads-up?

Thanks,

JP

Ian123 · Mar 27, 2020

I doubt you will be inspecting anything over the weekend temps are due to drop.

Erichalfbee · Mar 27, 2020

I Demaree a hive or two every year.
I wait for plenty of drones in the hive but no queen cells, so a colony on the cusp of swarm preps.
Brood with queen, QX, two supers, QX with an entrance, brood.
Swap frames out from the top as they emerge and replace with capped brood from the bottom.
Remove the emergency cells in the top.
Seems to work for me.
I have to be right on top of varroa control in a big colony like that.