Anti-swarm methods in 12-frame hives: ways to combat swarming in beekeeping

Swarming is a familiar process for wild bees, by which colonies are separated and insect populations increase. In most cases, beekeepers do not need such reproduction (an uncontrolled increase in the number of individuals may begin in the apiary). The 12-frame hives try to use anti-swarm methods to prevent the formation of additional colonies.

Process biology

Separation of new families - this property is inherent in the biological program of insects, occurs naturally and is considered a hallmark of a standard developing bee colony. Reasons for swarming:

• significant increase in temperature in the hive - as soon as the level goes beyond +36 °C, the resettlement program is activated;
• with a sharp increase in the number of individuals (usually after breeding in the spring-summer period), it becomes crowded in the "house", which also becomes a signal for the formation of daughter bee colonies;
• the family does not have the usual bribe - this means that the bees are resting and “out of idleness” begin to look for new places where it will be possible to form bribes.

Attention! Bee breeds swarm differently. Some varieties settle spontaneously - in a short period of time up to 12 separated bee colonies can form (sometimes more). For others - for example, crossbreeds with the Georgian breed - this is an infrequent occurrence, with which the beekeeper practically has no trouble.

Dividing families into half-summers

The method is that the current number of bees is divided into two approximately equal halves. Prerequisites:

• flocks in the spring should be sufficiently persistent, nourished to calmly transfer the resettlement (by the end of May, the nests should be filled);
• should have a few tight queens in stock.

Process - during the summer, an empty hive is brought to the strong half, where the frames were transferred in advance (it is important that bees, honey, perga and brood are present inside). It's good if you can track where the uterus is, but you don't need to specifically look for it.

Attention! In order for the resettlement to take place evenly and without problems, the new hive must copy the old one in shape, size and color. The houses are moved away from each other, one can be left in the same place.

Extra open brood

This option is preferred by most beekeepers. Process Features:

• open brood is present in small quantities, and royal jelly is produced more than necessary;
• bees begin to consume an unnecessary amount of milk, overeating comes over time;
• then oversaturated individuals begin to lay unfertilized eggs;
• at a certain moment they become the majority, and during the honey harvest they begin to swarm, which needs to be prevented.

The beekeeper needs to remove the sealed brood, leaving open and honeycomb with foundation in place. In this case, the insects will not consume royal jelly, they will be busy feeding the young. The need for swarming will disappear for a while.

Wittwicki Method

The basis of this technique used in beekeeping to prevent swarming is the division of an occupied nest. It is necessary to use an additional empty bet, with which you need to separate the nest. After that, an empty space is formed, the bees will be engaged in its development, and there will be no time and energy left for dividing into new families.

Plaque on the uterus

An additional option, which is carried out as follows:

• need to take a spare housing from the dwelling;
• fix a separate bottom from below (preferably from plywood);
• the frames with the uterus are shifted to a new place;
• brood and queen cell are left in place;
• add food, dryness to the remaining frames, cover the design with canvas;
• replacement housing installed from above.

Attention! This method is used when it was not possible to prevent the swarming of bees - the division of insects into families (the beginning of the process) became noticeable, new queen cells began to be laid.

Dividing grid

The name of the method indicates the method of work to combat the possible swarming of bees in sunbeds. The element is installed so as to separate the growing brood from the queen. The upper part of the body of the dwelling is separated, a grate is placed between the top and bottom. To prevent the queen from "escaping" into the lower enclosure, she should be removed from the hive for a while.

Breeding work

Breeding comes down to reducing the number of individuals prone to swarming. Process:

• you need to choose calm queens and fairly hardy bees;
• then, based on the selected individuals, a new brood is hatched;
• eggs from "active" male bees must be systematically destroyed;
• Queen choose purebred.

The hardiest and most prolific queens come from families that haven't swarm for years. More in the next video.

Change queens and double queens

Replacing old queens is a planned operation. The young breed more, the family grows faster, and this, in turn, has a positive effect on the collection of honey. The procedure is carried out in the spring. In the hives, where the queen is changed regularly, calm bees breed, winter is easier to endure.

Attention! In addition to more brood, young queens have another advantage. These emit special pheromones that reduce the desire of bees to breed, and therefore swarm.

Double queen keeping also has a positive effect on swarm prevention. The second uterus is planted and separated with a lattice through which the queen will not climb, but the rest will be able to get to her for fertilization.

Demari Method

This method is distinguished by the use of a two-unit dwelling. The task of the beekeeper is to increase the living area of the bee colony in a timely manner. A grille is installed from below, which helps to exercise control over the life of the queen. Use the following options:

• on the one hand, the queen and the brood trellis are left, the rest are moved to the second body, separated by a frame with honeycombs and foundation;
• the queen is placed in the combs, and the young bees are moved to the second body;
• brood and queen are left in the same dwelling.

The method is used by some beekeepers, but it takes practice to choose the best course of action.

Dernov Method

There are three variations of this technique:

• swarm in the daytime is transferred to a dark room (for example, a basement), the brood is separated, by the evening the bees are returned to their old place, an additional extension is placed, insects are settling, swarming stops;
• flying individuals are placed in the second hive, one is moved to the place where swarming began, after that the insects begin to destroy queen cells, and the dwelling is moved to the old place;
• The sealed mother liquor is left, destroying the old queen, the neoplasms are removed (to prevent the growth of young queens).

Methods also need to be tested, heterogeneous families do not respond to changes in the same way.

Taranov method

The technique of this beekeeper is to perform several steps:

• buried insects are separated from the main family;
• it is necessary to make sure that individuals collect honey in their stomachs;
• home is fumigated;
• artificially created swarm is fixed on the new hive two days later.

Attention! The method is suitable for beekeepers who already have some skills in working with apiaries. For beginners, it is better to use simpler techniques.

Cutting swarm queen cells

This option is considered too radical. A positive outcome depends on the flowering of trees and grasses in the area. In this case, the insects will be busy collecting honey, and swarming will be reduced. It is necessary to mechanically remove swarm-type queen cells, larvae.

Attention! The technique is dangerous because you have to disturb other bees, the brood nest will be dismantled. In addition, it is difficult to find all the queen cells, because some bees try to hide them.

See the video for details.

Formation of layers

In this case, the hive opens, a small amount of smoke is launched inside. It is necessary to wait until the insects leave the upper tier to the lower one. The first is then removed, removed to the side. An additional ceiling is attached to the remaining part, turning it 180 ° C. Then the removed part of the hull returns to its place, the notch is opened.

Prevention measures

There are several ways to prevent swarming. General rules - sufficient food, properly equipped hive. Recommendations for beginners:

• home improvement - timely expansion, foundation and honeycomb tracking;
• tribal work is control over the life of the family;
• regular airing;
• correct arrangement of houses.

The requirements are simple, but it will take practice and learning from the experience of other beekeepers, beekeepers.

Swarming is a process familiar to bees. However, this can cause a lot of trouble for the beekeeper. There are several options for preventing the process, which you can choose from by trial and error.

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