Will bees swarm in their first full season?

[1001Mike]

Started my first hive last July and they have done pretty well so far - the numbers have increased significantly and all look healthy.
So, 2014 will be their first full season and I am not sure whether they are likely to swarm. If they are, I had better get another hive so I can split them. If not, I can wait until 2015 before I need a second hive. What would you advise?

Regards, 1001Mike

 

[Elaine]

Get _at least_ one other hive

They may or may not swarm (probably will) - but you need to be ready

 

[enrico]

Taking bets? Yes! If you are ready for a swarm they won't, if you are just going out to a dinner party, they will!!?
E

 

[1001Mike]

Thanks. Looks like I had better get myself a second hive.

1001Mike

 

[Pete D]

Hi mike,
Get a spare hive, spare brood box and snelgrove board or nuc box.
You don't say if they were a nuc or colony last July but either way you need to be prepared.
Ensure the queen has enough space to lay, comb space that isn't full of food. Dont crowd the bees into to small a hive, add boxes as appropriate.
If they want to swarm they will and you will need to apply one of the many techniques of swarm control to ensure a honey crop.

Well done on getting them this far, not out of the woods yet so good luck.

 

[itma]

Short answer - yes they very well may swarm.


Longer answer, it depends on lots of things. If the Q was 2013, and you were skilful at the management of space in the hive, and they aren't genetically swarmy or overwintered badly, or are suffering from Nosema, etc, etc ... then there is a chance they might not try to swarm.
I'd say it would be prudent to be prepared for the eventuality that they DO try it on, so that, being prepared, you could do something about it.

I'd suggest that you have at the very least a nuc hive on standby, ready equipped with made-up frames. However, a proper brood box is really needed for simple reunification after the fever has passed.

In general, having two colonies (rather than one) is much more 'sustainable' - as you have a full set of essential spare parts (bees) on hand to help sort out any mistakes that otherwise could have been catastrophic.
And for two colonies, I'd suggest a third (spare, but very basic) hive AND a nuc would be a minimum level of spare capacity.


Oh, and download and read the Welsh Assembly's (free) Queen Cell booklet, before your bees get you posting "is it" or "does this mean" or even "I removed it, was I right" questions on the forum!

 

[casualman]

Don't take the risk and get a second hive. At least a second brood box with frames/foundation so that when the colony does go into swarm mode you have drawn foundation available to do a split or to provide more room for queen to lay. If brood box gets congested you can take out a few frames of stores and then replace with drawn frames. Suggest buy or make a 5 frame nuc box. That way if they do go into a determined swarm mode you can take the queen and a few frames out to put in the nuc box but leave a queen cell in the original brood box with some drawn comb. There are plenty of threads and swarm management techniques available on this forum or on Dave Cushman website. As it is your first year keep it simple like the technique suggested by Roger Patterson on Dave Cushaman site. he calls it the Wakefield method.

 

[itma]

... There are plenty of threads and swarm management techniques available on this forum or on Dave Cushman website. As it is your first year keep it simple ...

Generalising slightly - pre-select your chosen method of swarm control. Then ensure that you have sufficient kit on hand to be able to do it 'today, if need be' (and for the future, on all your hives simultaneously!)
And the simplest methods require a spare hive ... even a nuc, but a spare box you can put brood frames into.

 

[drstitson]

they could swarm a couple of weeks after acquisition as a nuc in spring of first season; 2nd year they are a full colony so swarming should be expected.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Started my first hive last July and they have done pretty well so far - the numbers have increased significantly and all look healthy.
So, 2014 will be their first full season and I am not sure whether they are likely to swarm. If they are, I had better get another hive so I can split them. If not, I can wait until 2015 before I need a second hive. What would you advise?

Regards, 1001Mike

Don't take the chance - always stay at least one empty hive in front. You can buy a whole hive for not very much money if you look around and don't forget various association auctions are coming up for hive 3, 4 etc ;-)

 

[user 6228]

Don't take the chance - always stay at least one empty hive in front. You can buy a whole hive for not very much money if you look around and don't forget various association auctions are coming up for hive 3, 4 etc ;-)

only one hive ahead... even that can be optimistic when you're a begginer

2n+1 where n is the number of hive you originally intended.. and then


some cardboard boxes, gaffer tape.. and a ladder, and a set of loppers, a bowsaw....
someone to hold the bottom of the ladder who doesnt mind a box of bees falling on them.

Welcome to swarm club ...

 

[oliver90owner]

Do not just split the hive - artifcially swarm it. Otherwise they are still likely to swarm.

The loose, inappropriate terminologists will likeky be along soon to try to suggest they are the same thing, which they are not.

 

[user 6228]

Do not just split the hive - artifcially swarm it. Otherwise they are still likely to swarm.

The loose, inappropriate terminologists will likeky be along soon to try to suggest they are the same thing, which they are not.

Mike,
Make sure you know exactly what you are doing for the artificial swarm, all the the kit, all the processes, being able to find the queen easily. If you cant get someone more experienced to help share the blame, think out a plan B especially for that moment of terror when you can't find the queen, which most methods seem to rely on.
If the Artificial swarm doesnt work you may need to deal with a real swarm, which is a really magnificient sight. One of the joys of beekeeping I think , but the neighbours might not think so.

Good luck

Derek

 

[Amari]

Don't take the risk and get a second hive. At least a second brood box with frames/foundation so that when the colony does go into swarm mode you have drawn foundation available to do a split or to provide more room for queen to lay. If brood box gets congested you can take out a few frames of stores and then replace with drawn frames.

Surely its unlikely that a beginner with one hive has spare drawn comb to hand?

 

[oliver90owner]

Surely its unlikely that a beginner with one hive has spare drawn comb to hand

For someone's sake, read up on artificial swarming. You don't need and don't want spare drawn comb for an artificial swarm!

 

[SteveJ]

I remember my second year. Started the year with two colonies ended up with eight by September. Had a very swarmy queen. Just seemed to keep buying equipment. Every time the weather got warm found queen cells.

SteveJ


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[Roola]

I remember my second year. Started the year with two colonies ended up with eight by September. Had a very swarmy queen. Just seemed to keep buying equipment. Every time the weather got warm found queen cells.

SteveJ


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I remember reading your weekly updates that you'd had another swarm . Made me chuckle.

 

[hiveabee]

When I first started out, I soon found out the need for spare equipment. My first lot didn't swarm only because, I had the necessary kit I was able to deal with any possibility of them doing so.

 

[SteveJ]

I remember reading your weekly updates that you'd had another swarm . Made me chuckle.

In control now. Queens are no longer as swarmy. Like to think its due to my breading program haha. More luck than judgement.

SteveJ


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[Teebeeaitch]

Will they swarm? Maybe, maybe not. Are you worried if they do. You may lose half of the colony but they should build back up ok. You may even catch the swarm and if you don't have a spare hive, you can give the swarm to another beek who will be grateful for it. Don't get sucked in to thinking swarming is wrong and you must prevent it. Your choice, but you do have options.