Hi all,
I'm a backyard bee-keeper with three hives, in my second season.  My
problem is swarms.  I don't want any, but far more importantly, my
neighbors don't want any.  However my bees have so far been perfectly
happy ignoring our wishes.  Early this spring I had two swarms, which I
managed to catch, and it looks like one of my hives are getting ready
again.  Lots of bees on the outside, some of them hanging down from the
bottom board.  I am going to open this hive tomorrow, re-arrange the
hive bodies and possibly replace a couple of frames of brood with empty
frames.

I hate killing off my bees, even if it is just some of them, but any
more swarms settling down on my neighbors trees will probably mean they
will all have to go.  I don't want anybody calling the City Admin asking
about rules for bee-keeping in residential areas.  There are kids here,
backyard swings, and pools.  And at least one mother who seems to get
quite upset by the sight of a flying insect near her kids.  That she is
quite irrational doesn't really matter.

So, how do I prevent the bees from doing what comes very naturally to
them?  Is it even possible?

Otto

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