Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Swarms, Cut Outs, Trap Outs and Bee Trees => Topic started by: Jen on April 24, 2018, 01:06:50 am

Title: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: Jen on April 24, 2018, 01:06:50 am

About the last three years, I've had one hive that wants to swarm and continue with cast swarms. Last year this hive got so low in bees I simply combined them with the hive next door.

It was suggested to me to requeen this hive and change the genetics. I am not one to kill good laying queens. But when a hive simply swarms itself down to nothing.. well that's not good either.

 

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: Wandering Man on April 24, 2018, 01:09:37 am

There must be.

Africanized bees swarm often.  Some think this helps them cope with mites and shb.

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: Lburou on April 25, 2018, 12:04:49 am

I think you have something there Jen.  I remember your swarm posts.  If you have a hive that does not swarm as much as others, be sure to make increase from it.  JMO   :)

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: apisbees on April 25, 2018, 01:57:50 am

It is not that simple a hive that has a queen that is capable of laying at peak 2000 eggs a day will build up much faster and will start swarm preparations sooner than a hive with a queen only laying 1500 eggs. the hive with the queen that is only laying 1000 eggs a day will not likely swarm but may supersede the poor laying queen. You crowed any hive by not having enough space or have any swarm control management in use, and the hive will swarm.
Before I would label any hive as swarmy, check the hive and ask yourself if there was any condition jn the hive that you over looked at in keeping the hive from swarming?

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: Lburou on April 25, 2018, 09:16:18 am

Quote from: apisbees on April 25, 2018, 01:57:50 am

It is not that simple...

Nothing about keeping bees is 'simple' nowadays!    ;)

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: apisbees on April 25, 2018, 09:52:37 am

Quote from: Lburou on April 25, 2018, 09:16:18 am

Quote from: apisbees on April 25, 2018, 01:57:50 am

It is not that simple...

Nothing about keeping bees is 'simple' nowadays!    ;)

Letting a hive swarm is!!!  Just neglect the needs of the bees and be late in it's management and simply put, You will have SWARMS.

Title: Re: Is There Such A Thing As Swarmy Genetics?
Post by: Wandering Man on April 25, 2018, 10:25:38 am

Jen,

Does the swarmy hive use a Langstroth with full 10 frame deep brood boxes? 

You tend to use mediums and nucs, don't you?  Or have I been misremembering again?