Swarm Control in Honey Bee Colonies

Abstract

Four methods of hive manipulation commonly used for swarm prevention failed to reduce its incidence. Colonies with first-year spring-reared queens made no attempt to swarm. The incidence of swarm preparation was less for colonies with first-year autumn-raised queens than for those with second-year queens. Colonies that swarmed produced no surplus honey, and those that prepared to swarm, but were prevented from doing so, produced less honey than colonies that made no preparation. Loss of honey through swarming was avoided by requeening with spring queens, or by clipping queens and destroying queen cells every fortnight. Loss of honey associated with swarm preparation was avoided by requeening with spring queens. © 1969 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.