> To cut down on swarming in the North, I would always pull brood in May. You
> probably need it to make splits, or you can add it to weak ones,

The simplest way to avoid swarming is by selecting against it. This is 
one of the most important traits you select for in order to have bees 
that are well suited to commercial beekeeping in the North. I'm on lat 
60 N, have 2-3% swarming with zero swarm control and no spring splits.

Surely North American queen producers actively breed against swarming?
Non swarmin stock together with enough space (supers in time) saves a 
lot of time wasted otherwise running around looking for swarm cells or 
making splits. Instead of spring splits, hives can be divided in 
autumn and make up strong enough units to winter.

Remember all beekeeping is local. This works well for me in a short 
intense season, not nessesarily in a longer season.

-- 
Regards

P-O Gustafsson, Sweden
http://beeman.se

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