I am a newbie beekeeper trying to convince a hive to stay where they
are.  This hive is one that I successfully overwintered from a package I
bought last year.  It is VERY strong and has been difficult for me to
inspect.  I did requeen three weeks ago with a purchased queen.  The queen
was accepted because I did see her walking on the frames.  When I
dispatched the old queen, there were swarm cells present, which I cut
out.  I also did a small split and removed 4 frames with brood in various
stages and placed those in a separate hive that had died out.  I reversed
the 2 deeps in the strong hive too.

I checked again a week later, and I still had brood in various stages in
the strong hive.  There were capped swarm cells present again!  I cut these
out and reversed the deeps again.  I also put a shallow super on over an
excluder.

I checked the strong hive again yesterday... there were swarm cells
again!  These were cut out and the deeps reversed yet again.  This hive has
so many bees that it is difficult for me to check.  It is hard to check the
brood because bees cover the frames so thickly.  I am about ready to just
let this hive swarm.  Is there anything else I should be doing?  I don't
really want to make any increase.  These hives are in my backyard and I
really don't desire anymore.  The one hive is turning out to be quite a job
all by itself!  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  TIA

Carol Brooke
Evansville WI

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