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Date: | Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:48:02 -0400 |
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> So, identify your timesuck operation!
Hey, thanks for the interesting rundown. Biggest timesuck? Beekeeping! But seriously, if you remove the queens from your hives, why put the same queens back? Requeening in spring is an accepted way to nip swarming in the bud, hives with brand new queens rarely (ever?) swarm.
You can do like so many others, sell the old queens in their nucs to beekeepers who want "proven" queens. On the other hand, if you have named the queens and are sentimental about them, I get that. But it does seem like a risky maneuver to treat a problem that might more easily be "cured" another way.
For example, for many years my chief swarm control measures have been to rob brood and bees from the colonies during the build up period, and to pile supers on early. Even in this region which, due to rapid spring buildup, is regarded as swarm inducing -- the hives don't swarm.
Honestly, I have been doing this since the 1980s, and the only swarms I ever see are from other people's hives. I liken the procedure of taking bees from the hives to donating blood. A person could donate blood quite often without harm; judiciously removed bees during the buildup induces them to raise more bees; more than they would if left alone.
I have a neighbor who has two hives; she never does anything but add supers. They always swarm. This year she is having to replace the bees as they crapped out in late summer. So much for treatment free. You can't breed from the best if they are dead.
Pete
PS: A person can make a blood donation every eight (8) weeks. That works out to 6.5 times a year, more than half your blood. So you could be producing 150% blood as you are. I think a hive of bees can easily produce 200% of the number of bees. Plus, if the hive swarms -- you lose half the bees and your favorite queen.
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