On Fri, 26 May 1995, Michael Stoops wrote:
 
> I agree with Jane.  Good hive management is a lot better tool for swarm
> control than clipping wings.  I have used double brood supers and have
> switched them whenI've found the queen in the upper brood chamber and
> most of the frames filled with brood.  Keeping empty frames above the
> area where the queen is laying seems to provide whatever expansion is
> needed to prevent swarming.  I've found that crowded hives is what
> induces the swarming instinct.   MIKE STOOPS   ([log in to unmask])
 
May I add to that that your hive population may *double* three weeks
after the first good pollen day and warm spell.  Suddenly a hive that
seemed to have ample room will develop burr comb and bees hanging out.
 
Anticipate this and, if no cold weather is expected , add a super.
 
If in doubt put the super above a single sheet of newspaper with a few
small narrow cuts in it ((optional) - for them to start chewing on).
 
If they don't require it, then they will leave the paper in place and stay
warm.
 
But, if they need the room, they will remove the paper and fill the
super with bees and honey and have adequate room.
 
You can add several supers with paper between each if you are going to be
away.  That way they can super themselves as required.
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
Email:   [log in to unmask]    or   [log in to unmask]
Futures, Art & Honey:http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka