Hi Michael
 
Thanks for your posting.
 
I can see where you are coming from. However, perhaps it is because of my
computer background, that I try to pigeon hole everything.
 
I am however minded to say, that beekeeping seems to me, to be based on some
'axioms' just like mathematics. They do not have the certainty of
mathematical axioms, but they can largely be depended on. In fact swarm
control and other manipulations are based on a knowledge of the effects of
these 'axioms'.
 
1. Bees will fly back to their hive or if the hive is not there, will fly to
the nearest hive. (Used in moving flying bees from one hive to another)
 
2. Bees moved more than 5 kilometres lose all ability to find their old
location and will map to their new surroundings. (Used in Swarm Control,
making increase and migratory beekeeping)
 
3. Nurse bees are attracted to unsealed brood. (used in covering a comb with
bees and guaranteeing that the queen is not on the comb, even if she cannot
be found, also in Demaree Swarm Control)
 
4. An egg in a queen cell will hatch in 3 days, will be sealed on the 9th
day, and emerge on the 16th day. (Used in Swarm Control procedures)
 
5. If swarming impulse be in train, the swarm will emerge on the day the
first queen cell is sealed. (Used in Swarm Control procedures)
 
6. The queen is fatter than the workers and will not pass through a
correctly designed excluder. (Used in controlling where the queen may lay or
finding a queen.)
 
7. Queenless bees will attempt to raise a queen from the eggs in worker
cells. (Sometimes used in making increase)
 
8. Hive cohesion is maintained by the queen's ability to emit Queen
Substance which is available to every bee in the hive. The amount of Queen
Substance is directly proportional to the age and health of the queen. The
likelihood of swarming or the possibility of laying workers is inversely
proportional to the availability of Queen Substance.
 
9. Bees will respect a gap of approx 9mm beteeen two surfaces(used in hive
design).
 
10. If bees are placed on an inclined plane, they will walk upwards (used in
Shook Swarming and with the Tarranov Board Swarm procedures)
 
I am sure that there are many more, that experienced beekeepers can come up
with.
 
The number of variables met in beekeeping are indeed legion, but I would
prefer to have some list of rules which are largely dependable, rather than
work on the basis that because there are so many variables, that little can
be depended on.
 
I suppose that at the end of the day, each beekeeper works with what he or
she is most comfortable.
 
 
Sincerely
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
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Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940
 
Latitude  53 Deg 16' 12.8" North
Longitude 06 Deg  9' 44.9" West