Victoria McDonough wrote that she is worried about a swarm.
 
> My biggest fear is a
>swarm.  Haven't had one yet and if I do I hope it is during the day, during
>the week when few people are home!
 
Someone wrote recently that the bees have little respect for the calendar.
Neither do they wear watches!. Murphy's Law could well prevail here, the
bees may swarm at the worst possible time.
 
I have 2 hives in my back garden and am 2 years beekeeping. I intend to try
as best I can to head off swarming by carrying out an artificial swarm.
Whilst there is no guarantee ever with beekeeping, an artificial swarm or
another method of swarm control, should improve the chances against
swarming. However, if you have bees that turn out to be swarmers, it would
pay you for peace of mind especially in view of their location, to replace
the queen with one of lesser swarming inclination.
 
I would recommend that you get a good beekeeping book and study this very
important aspect of beekeeping, or get assistance from your local beekeeping
association.
 
If you do not do something about swarming, the bees could well get you into
some difficulty with the neighbours, some of whom may be absolutely
terrified of what to most of us is a glorious sight.
 
Sincerely
 
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
Hobbyist beekeeper
 
e mail [log in to unmask]
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940
 
Latitude  53 Degrees 16' North
Longitude  6 Degrees  9' West of Greenwich