> In this experiment, four swarms were exposed to tanging during the first 255 ± 112 m of their flights to new nest sites. In total, tanging was performed over 1019 m, for 22 min 56 sec. No evidence was found that tanging causes a flying swarm to settle.

This suggests that the experiment was on swarms after they had clustered, broken cluster and departed for their agreed new home.  I have never seen it suggested that tanging was of any use at that point.  My understanding is that tanging was done just after the swarm had emerged from the hive (probably a skep).  Its purpose was twofold - one to (allegedly) persuade the swarm to cluster quickly (and therefore nearby), the other to indicate that a swarm had issued and that the owner was aware of it - thus thwarting any attempts by others to collect and claim it.

Children may perhaps have been used to watch hives at swarming time and given something to bang to alert and summon their parents.

Best wishes
 
Peter
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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