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Preventing bees from swarming is possible without much effort. To do this, you need to know the first signs of the beginning process and act immediately. Swarming affects almost every beekeeper. There are even anti-swarm measures in the apiary that can turn the growth of a family into a benefit.
Why do bees swarm
Swarming is the natural reproduction of insects. It is impossible to completely prevent bees from swarming, because this is tantamount to destroying the apiary. It has been established among experts that swarming is a sign of the health and well-being of the family. However, sometimes bees are forced to leave their home due to negative environmental conditions.
The problem is that swarming is characterized by a lack of control, and subsequently it is difficult for insects to quickly recover from it. This directly affects the results of honey collection; anti-swarming techniques in beekeeping will help cope with the phenomenon.
What happens to bees during the swarming period?
In the spring, bees raise brood, which allows them to prepare for harvesting and gain sufficient strength. At this time, the larvae begin to take up too much space. Honey frames increase in number because they are required for pollen and nectar. The beekeeper enlarges the hive using foundation and sushi.
However, there comes a time when there is no longer room for laying new eggs. This is when the bees begin to be in a swarming state.
During this period, the family is divided into 2 relatively equal groups. Insects of various ages may be present in the departing swarm. The majority are bees that have reached 24 days, but 7% of drones can fly away. The “exodus” of the swarm occurs 7 days after the queen lays eggs; the queen cells are still sealed at this moment.
The second swarm consists of queen larvae, brood and some adult bees. A week after the sealing of the larvae, a young queen is born, which leads the migration of the bees on the 9th day. Such a flock can fly in strong winds.
A day later, the next swarm may migrate. Each subsequent flock will contain fewer and fewer individuals. At the end of the swarming stage, the remaining queens are destroyed. Then the drones and young queens mate, and life returns to normal.
Anti-swarming methods of beekeeping
To prevent bees from swarming, there are several popular methods. Each of them is effective in its own way. Beekeepers choose the most convenient one individually. The methods were developed by experienced beekeepers and named after them.
Method of F. M. Kostylev
Performed in the evening after the bees have completed their flight.The swarming colony is moved onto the gangplank. They should be located away from the hive. The brood is added to non-swarming bees, providing additional frames. Honey is completely removed.
In the morning, the young individuals are returned. The lack of frames is made up for with wax. The gangway is placed near the entrance. Over time, the insects will return to their hive. Having noticed the lack of honey, they will begin fruitful work.
Demari method
Hives consisting of 2 buildings are used. It is necessary to monitor the nests and expand them in a timely manner. Then the queen does not stop laying eggs. She has enough space on the honeycomb. The activity of the female is controlled using a grid. It is installed in the lower tier.
Vitvitsky method
In order not to have to remove the bee colony from the swarming state, the insects are completely immersed in the work process. The nest is divided into 2 parts. Wax layer extensions and honeycombs without contents are used. Bees, having discovered empty areas, begin to fill them. In such conditions, insects quickly forget about swarming.
How to avoid bees swarming
Prevention of swarming in beekeeping should begin when the following signs are present:
- Reducing the laying of eggs by the queen bee. The process may also stop completely.
- Stopping the construction of new cells. The bees chew the foundation.
- The appearance of a large number of young animals in the family who are not busy. Usually such bees hang in clusters.
- Low productivity and low activity. Almost constant stay in the hive.
- The appearance of swarming queen cells. The number reaches 20 pieces.
The beekeeper needs to constantly monitor changes in the hive in order to carry out anti-swarm measures in a timely manner.
To prevent the onset of swarming, preventive anti-swarming methods are adopted in beekeeping:
- Eliminate crowding. The bee hive should be spacious and comfortable. If there is a need to expand the territory, then a 2nd floor is installed.
- Constant presence of brood. It is necessary to stimulate the uterus to lay eggs regularly.
- Top dressing. It is carried out out of season.
- overheat protection. The hives should be protected from direct sunlight in the summer.
Wing clipping
The anti-swarm method was invented quite a long time ago and has been retested many times. If the beekeeper wants to prevent unnecessary migration of bees, he clips the wings of the queen. You can also find out her age using this method. The operation is performed using scissors. It is enough to cut off a third of the wing so that the queen cannot fly. In this case, the already prepared flock returns home.
The anti-swarm method was invented quite a long time ago and has been retested many times. If the beekeeper wants to prevent unnecessary migration of bees, he clips the wings of the queen. You can also find out her age using this method. The operation is performed using scissors. It is enough to cut off a third of the wing so that the queen cannot fly. In this case, the already prepared flock returns home.
Removal of printed brood
In multi-hull hives, the sealed brood can be moved to the top section. The queen and exposed brood remain at the bottom. The vacated space is filled with wax and honeycomb. Such a rearrangement will eliminate overcrowding of the bee colony.There will be enough space for the queen to lay new eggs, and for the bees to collect nectar. After filling the top of the hive with honey, specialists install a magazine on it. These anti-swarming methods are suitable for bees living in 12-frame hives.
Chess
The method was invented in Canada. To avoid unnecessary swarming, frames with sealed honey and frames with built-up combs are placed above the hive in a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the bee colony will not be disturbed. The insects are misled and believe that the time for swarming has not come.
How to stop bees from swarming
The hive in which swarming begins should be moved to a remote location, and another one should be placed here. You need to add 8 new frames and foundation along the sides. A couple of frames with dry food should be filled with sweet syrup. The frame with insect eggs is placed in the central part of the hive. It is important to have time to carry out these manipulations before swarming begins.
Plywood with a diaphragm is attached to the top of the new hive, in which an entrance is made absolutely identical to the old one, so that the bees do not become disoriented. After this, the first hive is installed on the frame. The bees will calmly move to a new home and create fresh queen cells. In this case, the family will split, but swarming will not occur.
Closing the tap hole
If the hive is divided into bodies, then the frame with the queen is left untouched, and the rest of the brood is moved to the upper level. It is important to install a grille between the buildings. Next you need to supplement the upper body with honeycombs.
The lower part is filled with wax. The bees will start building new foundation, without losing sight of the queen. After a few weeks the possibility of swarming will disappear, then it will be necessary to remove the dividing grid.
How to remove bees from swarming state
To combat swarming, use a step-by-step option:
- It is necessary to remove 3 frames from the strong socket. They must contain brood and a queen.
- The frames are transplanted into a new hive.
- The finished honeycombs (2 pieces) are placed between the brood. 2 layers of wax are placed along the edges.
- A new bee colony is placed in place of the old one.
- A young queen is placed in a strong nest.
How to stop bees from swarming if there are already queen cells
You can remove bees from the swarming state in 2 options in the presence of queen cells using the method of M. A. Dernov.
First way involves planting flying individuals at the location of the bees during the swarming process. They are placed in an empty hive with frames. It is turned in the other direction from the old house. Insects begin to fly to the new hive. The queen bees get rid of the female and other remaining bees. When the anti-swarm method takes effect, everything is returned to its previous form. The flying insects will come back.
Second option consists of destroying the old uterus. All queen cells are cut out, leaving one. After 5 days they continue to get rid of new ones. Next, the young uterus is hatched. This way, swarming is completely eliminated.
Conclusion
There are many ways to prevent bees from swarming. Experienced beekeepers have developed a number of methods to help stop the process at all stages of formation. To make the task easier, you should adhere to preventive measures and monitor the condition of the hives.
