> > >During the peak swarming season; you need to get into your hive
> > >every 7-10 days to kill swarm cells.  This is the only way to
> > >stop swarming and retain your large field forger work force so
> > >that you can get a really large honey corp from your hive.  Two
> > >weeks (i.e., 14 days) is too long to go between killing swarm
> > >cells for a colony that is 'bent' on swarming.
 
<etc.>
 
Well, since no other commercial or extension person  has jumped in
here, I take my life in my hands and point out that with over 2,000
hives, no commercial producer *ever* cuts cells as a swarm control
measure, or even inspects for them on more than a casual basis -- to
my knowledge.
 
How do the pros prevent swarming?
 
Good management ahead of and during swarming season is the answer.
 
Do they get swarms?
 
Yes they do -- about the same number as those who cut cells.
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>