Taranov's method against swarming bees: description and application rules, features

Table Of Contents

Reasons for swarming
Description of Taranov's method against swarming
Rules of application

Swarming is the natural process of separating a new bee colony. If not controlled, the beekeeper can lose a large number of strong young insects, which will ultimately affect the amount of honey collected. Therefore, the task of the beekeeper is to control the formation of swarms. A detailed story about Taranov's method against swarming bees will be of interest to beginners and experienced beekeepers.

Reasons for swarming

The start of swarming can be triggered by several factors:

too many individuals, tightness in the hive;
old queen no longer produces enough pheromones;
poor ventilation of the bee house;
hive overheating;
one letok, bees cannot get into the hive for a long time, because they fly in a dense stream;
lack of frames for honey, filled with nectar and pollen;

Swarming is a sign of a strong, he althy bee colony. Signs of the close start of the process are:

hive noise amplification;
preparation of drone brood by bees;
womb does not sow brood;
formation of queen cells by insects.

There are several ways to prevent the process.

Description of Taranov's method against swarming

This method of artificial swarming was proposed by Professor G. F. Taranov and received his name. Insects are brought to the state of swarming, so it is important to constantly be in the apiary during this period so as not to miss the moment of preparing the bees for swarming.

Taranov's board, which he himself called "a notch for separating swarm bees from a family," is a simple and effective invention. It is installed next to the hive and serves to collect swarming bees. The first to appreciate the method were English beekeepers. He came to us from England, the term "Taranov's board" was included in foreign beekeeping manuals and an explanatory dictionary of beekeeping terms. This anti-hero technique is often used by beekeepers, but some find it too laborious.

Rules of application

A warm day is chosen, the bees are fumigated with smoke. Sometimes you even have to knock on the hive, because the insects must collect honey in their stomachs. At a distance of 10-15 centimeters from the notch, with a slight slope, there is a sheet of plywood.The lower edge of the sheet lies on the ground, the upper one is located at the level of the notch. The edges of the plywood sheet are smeared with royal jelly.

After that, bees are shaken off the frames onto the sheet. Sometimes beekeepers lay a sheet or a blanket next to the board, on the ground.

And they shake off the bees on him. After that, the insects begin their journey along the plywood sheet.

Thus the bee family is divided. The bees from the hive return to the house, a new queen is placed next to them or 1-2 queen cells are left, and the insects grow a new queen. A queen from the family is placed with young insects ready for swarming. Insects collect on the back of the plywood and along the edges of the side structure.

It takes about 2 hours to form a swarm.

Insects gathered in a swarm can only be shaken off into a swarm and placed in a cool place, after that the club is transferred to a new hive and a queen is added, or a queen cell is left, and the insects themselves will choose a queen.

Artificial swarming allows you to unite weak families. You do not have to catch a swarm that has flown out and remove it from tall trees. Bees quickly forget the way to the old hive and begin to equip a new home.

Taranova's method is used by beginners and experienced beekeepers. The simplicity and reliability of this method of separating bee families allowed our and foreign beekeepers not to lose swarms, increase the number of insects and the amount of honey collected.